BUSINESSES in Okehampton are embracing the first ever national Small Business Saturday event on December 7.

The new government-backed initiative aims to recognise and celebrate small businesses, and to encourage people to shop locally. Small Business Saturday events were first launched in the USA, where they have proven to be extremely successful.

With a high proportion of independent traders in the town, Small Business Saturday offers shoppers the chance to find a unique Christmas present in one of the many shops and businesses in Okehampton. Okehampton Town Council is in discussions to make its car parks free for the day for shoppers.

Mark Turner of Donald's Menswear has been at the forefront of organising the event along with the town's Chamber of Trade.

'The wider thinking behind Small Business Saturday is to get people back shopping with independent small businesses,' said Mark. 'Independent traders and businesses mean so much more to the local economy and put so much into the local economy compared to big national chains, where money goes back to head office, wherever that is.

'It is great that there are businesses in Okehampton who want to encourage people to come along to Small Business Saturday and support your local traders.'

Many businesses are marking Small Business Saturday by offering promotions, including generous discounts, free prize draws and children's activities. A free £250 clothes voucher draw, free shirts and ties, lucky dips, a free Devon food hamper draw and the chance to make your own magic reindeer food are some of the attractions businesses are putting on to attract customers.

To find out more, visit Donald's Menswear on Fore Street or any of the businesses with a Small Business Saturday sticker in their window.