REDUCED car parking charges are being offered in Ulverston next weekend (June 14 and 15).

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has agreed an all-day rate of £1.20 on all its car parks to coincide with Another Fine Fest and Ulverston International Music Festival.

Councillor Giles Archibald, SLDC’s portfolio holder for Town Centres and Small Business, said: “We are delighted to support this event and we hope the special all-day parking rate will encourage more people to support the festival and local shops and businesses in Ulverston.’’

This follows on from SLDC’s £1.20 all-day parking rate offered during the recent Ulverston Food Festival weekend, which organisers said helped attract large crowds to the town and contributed to the event’s success.

Another Fine Fest is a new festival of music, comedy, street theatre, workshops and art at venues across Ulverston to celebrate the birthday of Stan Laurel.

All events are free of charge and run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday (June 14).

The only ticketed event is an appearance by TV star and comedian Paul Merton at the Roxy from 8pm.

Ulverston Town Council is backing the festival and Town Clerk, Jayne Kendall, said: “A big thank you is due to SLDC for supporting this initiative.

“The success of the food festival proved that having the reduced parking rate can have an impact and it really does work.”

The parking charge rate will apply on Saturday and Sunday (June 14 and 15) which is also the final weekend of the Ulverston International Music Festival, which begins today (6 June).

Highlights include a Choral Concert on the Saturday night and a performance by the Northern Chamber Orchestra and the Benedetti, Elschenbroich, Grynyuk Trio on the Sunday night, both at the Coronation Hall.

For tickets for Ulverston International Music Festival events call the Coronation Hall box office on 01229 587140.