Councils including Copeland and Eden are offering free parking in all of their car parks to back new government advice.

There will be free parking in all car parks owned by Copeland Borough Council and Eden District Council.

The move is in line with government advice to offer free parking for those leading the COVID-19 relief effort.

In a statement online, Copeland council said: "We absolutely support the government efforts to prevent all unnecessary travel and this move is not designed to encourage shoppers or visitors to the area.

"We continue to urge people to stay at home to help protect the local NHS services.

They said that the provision of free parking is to assist the NHS and those who are leading the fight against Coronavirus including staff of critical town centre businesses that must remain open.

Key businesses include food shops, doctor's surgeries and pharmacies.

Charges on all car parks owned by Eden District Council have been suspended until June 2020 when a review will take place.

In a post to their Facebook page they said: "This will avoid any risk of spreading COVID-19 through use of payment machines and hopefully be a help for those using the shops that have been able to remain open - and the staff who are doing a great job in keeping those stores running too."