A POPULAR free parking scheme for residents in Tendring could soon be funded thanks to paying visitors.

Tendring Council’s scheme was first set up in 2012 to support shops and businesses and help to encourage people to shop local.

The permits, which every council tax paying household can apply for online, allows residents to park for free at all of the council’s sites for ten months a year, except for at the Naze at Walton and Holland Haven.

Nick Turner, the council's cabinet member for commercialisation, said income for the first nine months of the financial year stands at £661,785 – more than £31,000 over and above what was expected for the entire year.

It is hoped that should the trend continue the scheme will be covered.

That would mean that cash will not be required to be taken from the parking reserve to pay for the initiative.

The council's cabinet was told today that it would be a significant achievement for the district, which aims to promote itself as a car-friendly place to visit.

“We are one of the only councils in Essex to provide our residents with free parking,” said Carlo Guglielmi, cabinet member for finance, enforcement and community safety.

“People said we couldn’t do it but we have stuck with it and now it looks as though it will be paid for from parking fees this year.”

Nick Turner, the council's cabinet member for commercialisation, said that the council has around 40 car parks.

He praised the parking team for its efforts to bring the money in as well as the overall success of the free parking scheme.