RESIDENTS and visitors are being encouraged to think twice about using their car for a trip to the city centre on Sunday.

To mark World Car Free Day, Winchester City Council is urging people to explore alternative forms of transport.

In support of the local authority's drive to becoming a zero carbon district by 2030, officers are asking motorists to help reduce city centre congestion.

A free park and ride service will run on Sunday and Middle Brook Street car park will be closed to cars all day.

Instead the car park will be used to promote green initiatives and sustainable transport, such as cycling.

Cllr Lynda Murphy, WCC cabinet member for economy, said: “I am delighted that we are promoting a car free day in Winchester. This is just the start and we hope to hold the event on a much larger scale next year.

“We hope this event will become a firm fixture on the calendar as we look to find new ways to improve air quality, reduce our carbon footprint and encourage people to find sustainable ways to get round the city and the district.”

The park and ride service will run every 10 minutes, with the south park and ride starting at 7.35am and the east from 7.45am.

The last bus back from the Broadway will be at 5.10pm.

World Car Free Day is also being supported by the Winchester Half Marathon, which also takes place on Sunday.

Participants are being encouraged to use the park and ride offering or car parks outside the city centre.