Malvern MP Harriett Baldwin has called on people to show their support for local businesses.

The West Worcestershire MP marked Small Business Saturday (December 2) by visiting a number of independent businesses in Great Malvern - and says she kicked off her Christmas shopping at the same time.

Small businesses make up more than 99 percent of all UK business and account for over half of business turnover and employment.

Mrs Baldwin said: “Small Business Saturday is an important initiative to remind local people that there are often better ways of shopping than going online.

“Small businesses are the engine room of our economy, and I am glad that at a national level, the Government is doing what it can to help.

“At the end of the day, every small business needs loyal customers and Small Business Saturday is a timely reminder of how important it is for all of us to show our support and spend money with small, independent traders.”