CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride is urging local residents to support Small Business Saturday on December 2.

It is the fifth year of this not-for-profit campaign in the UK and organisers are hoping to make it their most successful year yet with a new mobile app which has nearly 30,000 small businesses listed across the country on its small business finder.

Businesses can register and advertise for free on the app by visiting: www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com .

Mr Stride said: “Small Business Saturday is a great initiative. Previous years have seen increases in trade of up to 20 per cent on the day, providing an important boost for local traders as well as generally increasing awareness about the need to support small businesses.

"I have no doubt it will have been a great success again. The strength of local independent traders is one of the biggest factors in ensuring our small market towns remain vibrant and successful.”

Residents can show the support for Small Business Saturday on social media by sharing pictures of local businesses on "Instagram" and tagging local businesses on "Twitter", both at #SmallBizSatUk .

Information about Government grants and support for small businesses can be found at: www.gov.uk/business-finance-support .

Alan Quick