MP Karen Lumley joined shoppers who turned out in Redditch to support Small Business Saturday.

The event, held on Saturday, December 3, was part of a national initiative to boost small, independent businesses by encouraging people to shop locally, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

Mrs Lumley said: "Small businesses are a vital part of British society. Over half of the private sector workforce is in small businesses and the success of our economy is built on the hard work and determination of the people who run and work for them.

"They deserve our respect and support all year round, so please do make the time to support them as part of this campaign.

She visited two town centre companies Heaphys, on Church Green West, a specialist tailors and gentleman's outfitters which has been going for a staggering 185 years, and newly-established alternative clothes and accessories store, Twisted Alice, on Unicorn Hill before getting her hair done at Rio Hair & Beauty in Headless Cross.

"It was lovely to visit such contrasting but successful small businesses in Redditch on Saturday and I encourage everyone to explore these and other local gems for themselves," she added.

Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 by American Express in the US. The campaign includes any business with annual revenues under £10 million.