Free parking at four park and ride sites on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been extended until March 31.

The park and ride sites are at Four Lane Ends, Callerton Parkway, Bank Foot, and Stadium of Light.

As more people return to work now that the latest Covid restrictions have come to an end, Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, is looking to win back customers that were hit by the pandemic.

Passengers numbers on the Metro are now at 80% of pre-pandemic levels, and Nexus is giving people more time to take advantage of the offer.

Kingston Park Metro station park-and-ride, which is owned by Newcastle City Council, is free on Sundays.

Felling and Heworth car parks in Gateshead are not part of the free parking offer. Normal charges will still apply at these locations.

Parking at Regent Centre, Hebburn, and Four Lane Ends Metro car parks is free on Sundays.

At stations without free parking, the cost is just £1 a day at stations north of the Tyne, but at stations south of the Tyne charges vary.

Information about car parking on the Metro can be found at https://www.nexus.org.uk/park-and-ride/guide-parking

Customer Services Director, Huw Lewis, said: “We hope our free parking offer will encourage people to return to Metro as they return to work in offices in the coming weeks.

“We are extending free parking until the end of March at four major car parks – Four Lane Ends, Callerton Parkway, Bank Foot, and Stadium of Light.

“It makes sense to extend our offer as more people start heading back to offices and other places of work after the Government ended its Plan B Covid measures in England.

“Park and ride takes all the hassle out of the daily journey to work. It helps to cut congestion, lower emissions, and improve air quality, which is vital for the fight against climate change.”