TRADERS in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge have joined together to offer customers free parking in a bid to encourage more shoppers into the town.

More than 15 traders are taking part in the reimbursement scheme where shoppers can be refunded the cost of half an hour's parking, 40p, at any car park in Burnham if they spend £10 or more in any store which is involved in the scheme.

The traders and Burnham Chamber of Trade are also in talks with Sedgemoor District Council (SDC) to change ticket machines so they can print double tickets to support the scheme.

Richard Gardiner-White, owner of Whites Farm Shop in High Street, Burnham, is one of the traders who is involved in the scheme and said he hopes the scheme will encourage people to support local shops.

"If you want to claims just take a photo of your printed ticket or a screen shot of your online ticket purchase and show the participating retailer then when spending over £10 and you will receive 40p discount from your bill," Richard said.

"Participating shops will be displaying a poster in their window.

"Shopkeepers and the Chamber Of Trade are also in talks with SDC and asking that ticket machines are changed to be able to print double tickets that customers can then bring into store.

"This will allow people without smart phones to also be able to get the same discount.

"You can claim the 40p back on the day of purchase in any of the shops displaying the free parking logo. You can only claim once in each shop, so essentially could have some great savings and cover your whole parking charge whilst shopping in town.

"We are still in talks with SDC. We’re hoping they will provide the double printed tickets which will support this scheme."

The shops which are participating in the scheme are: Whites Farm Shop, G.W.Hurley Arts & Crafts, The Bag Shop, The Book and Puzzle Company, Burnham Shopping Centre, Crafty Comforts, Antony James Jewellers, South West Laser Services, Julians, Toycupboard, Crafty Tea Cup, Sentiments, BOS Hair & Color Bar, The Pet Shop, Material Needs, Emanuel’s Jewellery, Cafe Aroma, Baby Bee Crafty, Sassy, Treasure Chest and Sopha,

If you are a trader in Burnham and Highbridge and you would like to join please contact Richard from Whites Farm Shop by emailing info@whites.shop.

The Weekly News has contacted Sedgemoor District Council for comment.