PARKING in pay and display car parks in Dungannon and Magherafelt has been reduced to 10 pence for three hours over Christmas.
Mid Ulster District Council said the promotion from November 26 to January 7 "represents an investment of more than £23,000 in the town centres".
Normal charges will apply after the three hours, while off-street car parking in Cookstown town centre is free of charge.
Council chairman Trevor Wilson said it would "provide a huge boost to town centre trade at one of the busiest times of the year".
He added: "Past experience shows that when car parking goes from being charged to free, then the most convenient spaces closest to the main commercial trading area can be taken early in the morning by 'all day parkers' to the disadvantage of visitors and shoppers.
"The very small tariff balances the need to make our town centre car parks attractive, while ensuring that vital car parking spaces are available."
