Yeovil Cattle Market has opened up parking facilities for Christmas shoppers after the district council struck a deal.

Shoppers can park at the market for £1 a day on every Saturday leading up to Christmas, and it is estimated that 200 cars can be accommodated there.

South Somerset District Council is also in negotiations with the owners of the multi-storey car park at Maltravers House, hoping to sort out a similar deal.

Christmas shoppers were also reminded of the park-and-ride schemes that operates on Saturdays from the car parks of Yeovil College and council offices at Brympton Way.

In addition, it has been revealed that 55 spaces at Goldenstones have been turned into long-stay spots with immediate effect. A council bulletin informed that commuters can use the spots for 60 pence a day for the foreseeable future.

Commenting on the arrangements, Councillor Tony Fife: "Some people are complaining of the difficulties of finding a car parking spot in the run up to Christmas. These difficulties are not confined only to Yeovil. All of the surrounding towns are reporting similar problems.

"Frankly, I'd be disappointed if there were many available spaces just prior to Christmas. Busy car parks mean busy shops. Longer term, we need perhaps to be looking at other solutions, and part of the ongoing community review of transport is looking at car parking as one of the major issues."