Weekend parking charges in Oswestry look set to be stopped in the run-up to Christmas.

Oswestry Town Council is holding an emergency meeting tonight when it is expected to agree to the plan. Tonight’s meeting will also look at ways to regenerate the town in the face of the impact of the credit crunch.

In a report to go before councillors tonight, David Preston, council clerk, says meetings have been held with Yossi Gliksman, Chamber of Trade chairman, who asked how the authority could help local businesses.

Bosses at Oswestry Borough Council have already suggested it would scrap weekend parking charges at its car parks in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Preston says in his report the town council would look at doing the same.

He suggests parking charges could be scrapped this weekend to provide a boost to Friday’s Christmas Music Live, Saturday’s Christmas procession and Sunday’s charity Santa Run, in aid of Hope House Children’s Hospices.

Mr Preston has also proposed a new “regeneration board” for the town.

The report says: “In terms of the problems that have been highlighted and aspirations of the town council, then the town clerk puts forward the suggestion the town council might like to initiate a regeneration board for Oswestry.”

Tonight’s meeting starts at 8pm at the Guildhall.