SALISBURY residents' calls for free parking across the city to boost trade after last Sunday's nerve agent attack have been rejected.

Wiltshire Council deputy leader John Thomson said suspending parking charges would cause too much traffic and pollution.

But speaking at a public meeting last night, he did announce that all the city's park and ride sites would be free from Saturday until at least Easter Monday.

He said: "Wiltshire Council and its partners will do everything we can to support businesses and the city to recover."

It came after Wiltshire councillor for Bemerton Ricky Rogers asked Cllr Thomson to suspend parking charges in the city "for a few months".

Other embers of the public echoed Cllr Roger's call, but Cllr Thomson said: "No, we are not going to take away parking charges because of the congestion and pollution it will cause. We have got five excellent park and rides. That's a fantastic offer."

He added: "We want to have a city centre that people can actually walk around."

Cllr Thomson said a "huge amount of resources" were being invested in the recovery programme.

Members of the council's recovery team have had already visited 50 businesses to help them apply for business rate relief, he said.

And the council was talking to HMRC about taking a "helpful and supportive approach" to tax issues.

A business hardship fund of £20,000 has been set up "for any businesses that are really up against the wall".

Cllr Thomson said: "The big thing is to get people back into Salisbury. It's a great place to visit."

He will be meeting local businesses today to discuss the recovery plan in more detail and get feedback.

The council has said it will set up a drop-in centre in Salisbury, will hold regular updates and face-to-face meetings with businesses, and will host regular community forums in the city.

"We are hopeful that is just the start," he added.

Steve Godwin from Salisbury said some businesses "may not survive" after the incident.

He said: "I'm not being dramatic because I have spoken to those businesses."

Mr Godwin said some businesses in the Maltings that remained open had seen their footfall reduce by up to 60 per cent.

He called for "immediate and serious" support for these struggling traders.

Wiltshire Council Alistair Cunningham said any businesses that wanted to keep paying their staff but did not have the income could speak tot he council.