People planning to visit the Abbey Park Olympic Torch event on Monday 2nd July will be able to park their cars at Birstall and travel straight to the park by a direct park & ride bus service.

A special park and ride service No 303 will run so that people can leave their cars and get dropped off close to the event.

More than 1000 parking spaces will be available at the Birstall site, which is on Loughborough Road, LE4 4NN.

Buses will leave the Birstall site for Abbey Park from 3.30pm until 6.30pm. They will leave the park to return to the car park between 7pm and 9pm.

Up to five people in each car will be able to take the bus to the park for a total cost of just £3. Individual tickets will cost just £2. Concessionary bus pass holders will be able to travel free of charge.

Other bus services that run close to the park will continue to operate, although those that normally use Abbey Park Road will be diverted due to the road being closed.

Information regarding other bus services can be found at www.leicester.gov.uk/publictransport or www.travelineeastmidlands.co.uk

St Margaret's Bus Station is only a ten-minute walk away from the park.

People using buses are advised to check the bus information on the council's website as some bus stops will be moved on July 2nd due to road closures.

City car parks nearest to Abbey Park are the John Lewis car park off Vaughan Way, the NCP on Abbey Street, the Haymarket, or Lee Circle.

There will only be disabled parking available for Blue Badge holders around Abbey Park on the night. This will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces can be booked by calling 0116 2385085.

Deputy City Mayor Cllr Rory Palmer said: "Because of the rolling road closures that will be in place as the torch bearers run through the city, motorists in this area will be affected.

"The event will be a great opportunity to welcome the torch to the city, and we know that thousands of people will be making their way from all over the city and county.

"Abbey Park is only a ten minute walk away from the city, so for those who are able, walking to the event from the city centre is the best option.

"The special park and ride service will help people travelling in from parts of the county, and I would advise families to take advantage of this if they can."

The park gates will open from 4pm. The torch is expected to arrive at 6.50pm.

Entrance to the Abbey Park Olympic Torch event is by ticket only. Most of these have already been allocated. Any tickets that have not been claimed by Monday 25th June will go out for general release on Tuesday 26th June.