A FREE afternoon parking scheme hoped to bring tourists and shoppers to Harwich has been branded as “total nonsense”.

Introduced by Tendring Council for Christmas, the free parking after 3pm was aimed at encouraging residents to shop locally.

Tendring Council said the scheme went so well it was decided to extend it.

But leader of Harwich Town Council’s labour group, Les Double, said: “Shoppers using Dovercourt town centre do not go out to start shopping at 3pm.

“Likewise, anyone planning a day trip to Harwich is unlikely to be arriving late in the afternoon."