Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has called on councils to relax city centre parking restrictions for a trial period to stimulate retail growth.

The spread of expensive parking charges in town centres has resulted in high streets struggling to attract business with customers preferring the convenience of free parking offered in out of town malls.

And traders in Cardigan, Wales, have recently witnessed a huge increase in footfall as a result of pay and display machines being out of order.

Mr Fraser would like to see a one month trial in his electoral area of free on-street parking, albeit time limited, in town centres in a bid to support small retailers.

He said: “Town centres across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire have struggled for years as a result of excessive parking charges and recent evidence from Wales suggests that relaxing regulations can bring back shoppers.

“I would like to see councils relax parking charges during certain hours for a trial period and monitor the impact of this on footfall and town centre trade.

“Towns and cities throughout the region will be much poorer if they lose vibrant independent traders and it is time council’s loosened the grip on parking and give retailers and even playing field.”