Traders have welcomed a surprise move by supermarket giant Tesco to open up its car park for free at one of its busiest stores.

Tesco is to take down the barriers at its Church Road store in Hove so that shoppers can park there for up to two hours.

At the moment the company only allows people to park for half-an-hour unless they spend £5 in the store.

When Tesco first opened six years ago the car parking restrictions led to criticism from traders frustrated at the lack of car parking for customers in central Hove.

But it is hoped the introduction of free car parking will attract more visitors to the area.

Jill Humphrey, vice-chairwoman of Hove Business Association, said: “It's a step in the right direction. If you have two hours free parking that's a lot better than 30 minutes “It opens the area back up again to the George Street and the Blatchington Road traders who have really suffered because of the criteria with that car park.

"It's good news.”

Dean Jenkins, who owns DPJ Fruits, in George Street, said: “It's the first bit of good news I've heard around here recently. This street has gone down the pan and it's the parking that's the killer.

“Anything that helps businesses, especially in these times will be massive help because it's tough right now.

“If there's free parking for two hours that will be a huge help to everyone and we're all for it.”

Julian Pelling, owner of Fine Records, also in George Street, said: “At last there will be free parking in the centre of Hove. It has to be well publicised.”

A Tesco spokesman said: “Obviously we are pleased to be able to provide this for our customers and hopefully it will encourage further link trips with our store and the rest of the town.

“The Hove store is extremely popular with the car park extremely busy. The barrier was there to make sure didn't get too full but we felt the barrier system wasn't working.”

The free parking should be introduced as soon as Brighton and Hove City Council gives Tesco planning permission to remove the barriers.