Harriett Baldwin MP has appealed for residents to support small businesses in their area.

Following the annual Small Business Saturday initiative, the West Worcestershire MP toured small independent businesses in Great Malvern to show her support.

Small businesses constitute over 99 per cent of all businesses in the UK and generate more than half of business turnover and employment.

The Government's Autumn Statement in November confirmed a broad range of measures to assist small businesses, including introducing tax cuts for small employers taking on new members of staff and a rates relief for firms in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.

Mrs Baldwin said: "Small Business Saturday is an important initiative to remind local people that they 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."