MOTORISTS visiting Dovercourt town centre will be able to park for free while work continues on a new car park.

Work on the new Orwell Place car park is currently underway at the former Starlings site.

The council said while works are being finished, visitors will not be charged.

A council spokesman said: “While finishing works are being done we're not currently charging - so you can park for free.

“Even when charges are introduced, the car park will be covered by the Tendring Householder car parking permit scheme - meaning residents can park for free after 11am each day, except in July and August.”

Previously, it was announced Orwell Place would open to the public at the end of September.

It is part of a £1.9million redevelopment project by the council, using the site of the former Starlings garage and Queens Head Hotel, which burned down a number of years ago, to create a new public space.

The plans include a 51-space car park, public toilets, and landscaping.

Meanwhile, the design also opens up possibilities for the site to be used an event space.

This would provide capacity in the town centre for one-off events, such as a Christmas market or traveling fair.