A SPECIAL car parking promotion is being launched in Worcester next week as part of a major cycling event in the city.

In a bid to take advantage of the Tour of Britain, Worcester City Council is offering special deals at four car parks on Wednesday, September 10.

All drivers will be able to park at Croft Road, Newport Street, Pitchcroft and St Martin's Gate for one hour and get two free.

The deal is aimed to helping city shops get a sudden boost from an influx of people staying in Worcester for longer.

The decision has been signed off by city council managing director Duncan Sharkey after he consulted the Conservative leadership last week.

It will only last for that one day, with prices reverting back to their normal rates from Thursday, September 11.

The Tour of Britain's county leg will start in Worcester before going around the city centre, to Malvern via St John's and then onto Upton, Pershore Evesham and finally Broadway.

Peter Pawsey, chairman of Worcestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "We are thrilled to be supporting the Tour of Britain coming to Worcestershire and are looking forward to a really great occasion."