HYNDBURN and Haslingden MP Graham Jones will celebrate small businesses next month.

The MP will join Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunnu in celebrating the contribution of the firms as part of the UK’s first-ever Small Business Saturday, which takes place on December 7.

The grass-roots campaign encourages people to shop locally and support small businesses in the local community.

Mr Jones is encouraging businesses to take part, and to take advantage of the campaign which aims to boost support for small business on a key shopping day in the run-up to Christmas.

He said: “Local people have told me how much they care about the local economy, particularly the small and independent businesses that add to the character of our towns, and benefit shoppers.

“People value the choice they get from smaller shops which is why I want to celebrate the contribution they make to local communities.”