THE spirit of Christmas is by-passing Poole's car parks, Liberal Democrats claim.

A proposal to reduce charges to benefit residents and retailers during the festive season was thrown out by the ruling group.

Cllr Brian Clements, Liberal Democrat leader, urged the transportation advisory group to scrap beach parking charges between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day and impose lower Sunday rates for shoppers on the Bank Holidays of December 27 and 28.

The first week of beach car park charges raised "a massive stealth tax" income of £3,700 - compared to an original prediction of £28,000 for the whole six-month winter period, he said.

"The least the council could do is to give locals a break over Christmas.

"We try to encourage people to take more exercise and that is particularly important for those who have enjoyed Christmas to the full," said Cllr Clements.

A plea for Sunday rates on the Bank Holidays also fell on deaf ears.

Cllr Clements said some shops made 40 per cent of their income during the Christmas period and the sales were particularly important.

"We need to help our traders match the competition from places like Castlepoint with its free parking, and Salisbury with its highly successful park and ride."

Cllr Ron Parker, cabinet portfolio holder for transport, pointed out the £1 Christmas park-and- ride, operating on the four Saturdays before Christmas and on the Bank Holidays, would lose money.

Poole will have free parking on six Sundays, for late-night shopping on five Thursdays and for three half-day Saturdays in the districts.

In the town centre this will include the arrival of Father Christmas on Saturday and the Christmas lights switch-on on November 25.

First published: November 18