The disabled and the elderly are to be given a special viewing area to watch the Christmas Boat Parade tomorrow night.

Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt said the Number One shed car park in Hamilton is being allocated purely for vehicles belonging to senior citizens and the disabled, and said an area nearby will be made available for viewing.

"We are expecting a lot of people for this Christmas boat parade on Saturday and every year we have a problem finding somewhere safe for people with disabilities and the elderly to go.

"There are about 300 people with disabled parking permits, and they, along with the elderly, can park in the Number One shed car park.

"Once they enter the car park, we will open a special gateway to an area that is normally closed off. It will probably be the best location to watch the parade."

Mr. Sherratt said the corporation only had about 100 chairs, so people were advised to take along their own, and he said only the disabled, the elderly and their carers would be allowed in.

Corporation workers will be at the car park to prevent ordinary shoppers from entering the car park past 4 p.m.. However, anyone who parks there earlier will be able to leave their car until the shops close.

But they are asked to be cognisant of the fact that the car park is being earmarked for the elderly and disabled and so are being asked to remove their vehicles by about 5.30 p.m.