Annual late night Christmas shopping events are due to be held in Uppingham on Thursday, 5 December and then in Oakham on Monday, 9 December.

As in previous years, Rutland County Council is offering free parking in all council car parks to coincide with these events, supporting shoppers and local businesses.

Free parking for late night shopping will be available in Oakham and Uppingham on the following dates and times:

- Thursday, 5 December, Uppingham only from 3pm for late night shopping

- Monday, 9 December, Oakham only from 3pm for late night shopping

All on-street parking restrictions will remain in place as normal.

In addition to local late night Christmas shopping, there will also be free parking in both towns' public car parks all day on Saturday, 7 December for this year's Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is a national campaign to highlight small business success and encourages consumers to use local shops and services.

Rutland is due to be visited by the Small Business Saturday Bus as it makes its way around the UK in the run-up to Small Business Saturday.

The bus will be in Oakham Market Place from 10am until 2pm on Tuesday, 19 November giving small business owners a chance to meet and talk with mentors and experts offering specialist advice.

Business and shop owners can also collect a free Small Business Saturday poster to display in their window.

To find out more about events and activities taking place in Rutland in the run-up to Christmas, including further details of Oakham and Uppingham late night shopping, click on the red button below.