New parking measures have come into force to keep up with the demand for spaces during lockdown.

St Albans City and District Council has said the pressure on street spaces has grown due to more people working from home rather than travelling by car to work.

As a result, the council has decided to allow people from high-demand controlled parking zones to use nearby car parks for free as an overflow.

Drivers must have a valid resident's permit on display and keep to the market bays. Those who qualify for the scheme will be contacted directly by the council.

Free parking periods at council run car parks have also been extended by two hours in order to help people who have trouble parking overnight beside their home.

Charges will apply from 8.30am to 5.30pm rather than 7.30am to 6.30pm.

People are also allowed to buy an extra two books of visitor permits above the usual personal allowance.

All these measures will remain in force until the end of lockdown on December 2.

Council leader, Cllr Chris White said: "We have been listening to what our residents have been telling us about their car parking needs during the lockdown.

"We've also taken on board guidance from the British Parking Association and, of course, the Government's own lockdown regulations.

"The result is a package of measures that balances the need to ease extra pressure on residents' parking spaces around the district with the need to ensure our streets remain free of badly parked cars that can cause a nuisance or a hazard.

"I believe these measures and priorities will benefit the whole community at this very difficult time and I'm particularly please that we are able to maintain the concessions afforded to key workers such as NHS staff.

"We will monitor the impact of these changes and keep them under review throughout the lockdown."