Parking restrictions will be relaxed in Northampton on the morning the Olympic Torch Relay comes to town so that as many people as possible can enjoy the once-in-a lifetime spectacle.
The county council will be offering free on-street parking at pay and display bays in the town centre up to noon on Monday, July 2 but other enforcement will continue to avoid vehicles causing any obstructions.
The borough council will offer free parking in all of its car parks until noon.
Leader of Northampton Borough Council, David Mackintosh, said: “The Olympic Torch coming to our town is a huge event and will be something that will be remembered for years to come. Across the country we have seen huge crowds come out to greet the Torch and feel part of the excitement as we count down to the first London Olympics in a generation.
“We are still a couple of weeks away, but you can already feel the excitement growing with the bunting in the town centre and regular updates on the news every night.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to come and see the Torch. This is something that should not be missed as it may not happen again for a very long time, so come into Northampton, park for free and help us to welcome the Olympic Torch to our town.”
Councillor Ben Smith: “This is a big day for the town and the county as a whole and I’m pleased we’re working with the borough council to help make sure we can get as many people as possible to enjoy this hugely important event.”
The Olympic Torch Relay is due to enter the county from Warwickshire during the morning and will pass through Northampton, Wellingborough, Isham, Kettering, Geddington, Corby and Dingley en route to Market Harborough in Leicestershire.
Police have advised onlookers not to try to approach the torchbearers as they make their way around Northamptonshire.
The Torchbearer runs with a special security team from the Metropolitan Police Service.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “This team creates a bubble around the Torchbearer and no-one should try and enter into that bubble while the convoy is on the move. This is for their own safety as much as the Torchbearer as the relay is a moving convoy of vehicles.
“The British police service has great experience in delivering major public events and of working collaboratively with each other and our partners.
“Structures have been put in place for national coordination and command at the regional and local level. This will ensure forces can manage the complexity of the Olympic Torch Relay as it crosses boundaries and borders.”