Haringey Borough Council will introduce two days of free parking in the run up to Christmas to bring 'cheer' to the high streets.

Parking will be free for shoppers on Saturday, December 22 and Monday December 24 in all car parks and pay and display areas throughout the borough.

The council boasted that with Sunday parking already free, the whole weekend's parking will cost nothing in Haringey shopping areas.

According to the authority, the move will bring cheer to the borough's struggling high streets this year.

Traders called for the council to back down on £3-per-hour parking charges in Muswell Hill, Green Lanes and Crouch End during a full council meeting on Monday evening.

The council refused to make a decision, calling for more time to consider proposals – which include introducing 30 minutes of free parking to encourage people to shop in Haringey’s town centres.

Councillor Nilgun Canver, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "We know times are tough for traders and people have a lot of bulky shopping to pick up for Christmas, so I hope this free parking will help attract shoppers to their local high street.

"We’re announcing this now to give people time to order their turkeys or presents from high street shops, or look at what else is on offer locally for them to order and collect nearer to Christmas."

However, parking restrictions will still apply to resident only bays and shared use bays on December 22 and December 24.