More than 1,000 parking permits are being offered to essential workers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Hounslow Council has announced a package of help to those on the frontline of fighting the virus and caring for people.

The offer is available to the following groups:

• Frontline emergency services workers near their place of work

• Care workers

• Volunteers supporting vulnerable or self-isolating people (extension of the 'stop & shop' 30-minute parking scheme)

Any health or care workers who receive penalty charge notices while working but are correctly parked in a parking bay will have their penalty notices cancelled.

Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said: "Further to our previous statement, we are now offering further advice and guidance on parking matters during the current situation.

"Firstly, a big thank you to all our residents who are driving and parking legally and considerately at this challenging time.

"As already noted, all our parking restrictions and controls currently remain in place and enforcement activity is continuing.

"This is in line with the guidance issued by central government and also London Councils.

"Some residents have queried whether this is necessary, however we are maintaining enforcement of these controls for good reason."