Man buys car park, makes it free for everyone

A businessman in Devon has caused a stir after buying the lease on a car park and allowing people to park there for free.

Robert Braddick, 44, owns Braddicks Leisure Ltd, which owns several bars and restaurants in the small town of Westward Ho!

He purchased the lease on Seafield Car Park on the edge of Westward Ho! on Tuesday and announced the good news on his Facebook page: "With immediate effect I'm making it FREE, yes FREE for the community."

His post sparked a wave of comments from delighted locals, with one woman commenting: "Fainted that you used the word 'free' - seriously well done Rob. No one ever does anything like that anymore and you can see by all the comments how it's appreciated - thank you x x."

The car park had previously been council-run, and cost £3 a day to park there.