SHOPPERS in Crewe are to benefit from a free parking day in July after a junior football club asked for help hosting a tournament.

Crewe FC submitted a request to Crewe Town Council that supporters attending a woman and girl's pre-season tournament at the Cumberland Arena on Saturday, July 10 be permitted to park for free on the nearby Thomas Street car park.

Cheshire East Council offers its town and parish councils the option of choosing four free parking days every year to boost footfall or support events. Often these days are allocated in the run-up to Christmas - last year Crewe Town Council made town centre car parks free on three Saturdays during December.

Crewe FC's tournament, the KPI Cup, takes place over Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11 with competitions for under-9s up to under-13s as well a women's open age tournament on the Sunday.

The Cheshire League club are also hosting a junior boys and men's tournament on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18.

Town Council Clerk Peter Turner explained: "Traditionally, Cheshire East has given us four free parking days, for example to promote Lumen and the lights switch on and other activities that bring high footfall.

"Crewe FC's community tournament will be well attended and the club are seeking the use of the nearby car park free of charge.

"But that would mean all car parks in the scheme being made free on the day."

Councillors agreed to the request and that subject to confirmation from Cheshire East that the free day be applied to all car parks.

Chairman of the council's event and marketing committee Joe Cosby: "If we allocate one free day and request that Cheshire East apply it to all the town centre car parks we don't lose out on the free parking, otherwise it might only apply to Thomas Street."

Crewe FC will be responsible for marshalling the parking and signage at Thomas Street.

You can find out more about the club's tournament here.