SHOPPERS have been urged to back the high street this weekend as part of a special campaign.

The government-backed High Street Saturday is encouraging people to shop locally and support their town centre.

People have been called on to shop at local traders and share photos of the day online.

Barrow's Business Improvement District has backed the day, highlighting the importance of high street retailers.

Colin Garnett, BID manager said: "People should support our local businesses and support our high street.

"The high street is hub of the community.

"We are an isolated town and it is really important we keep it at the heart of the community.

"It is our high street and we need to use it."

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire recently told a conference: "I expect you all to be out there, making the case for the Great British High Street."

Commenting, Conservative Spokesman for Barrow and Furness, Simon Fell said: “High streets like [Ulverston's] Market Street and Dalton Road and are instrumental in bringing people together – acting as a meeting place for friends and families and long supporting jobs for local people.

“But, as the retail market changes, I am encouraging people across Furness to join me and Conservatives across the country on March 16 in pledging to shop locally to support the independent businesses we all know and love.

“The Conservatives in government are determined to support our high streets by taking action on business rates, supporting high streets to modernise and helping to transform empty shops into new homes.”

Elsewhere, south Copeland residents have also been issued with the call.

Millom Councillor Ged McGrath said the day was a great way to encourage more people to shop locally.

He said: “I know it’s often easier to use a local supermarket, but our high streets offer a unique individual experience which larger stores just can’t.

A former local business owner, having ran Millom post office for 10 years until 2016, added: “Our high streets have long been a focal point for communities, offering employment for local residents.”

Beverley Sharpe of Power World, Millom, who has been trading locally since 1997, said: “It’s great that Ged is supporting high street Saturday. He’s run his own local business himself and Ged understands the pressures placed upon independent high street retailers like ours."

Shoppers can share picture and messages online with the hashtag #HighStreetSaturday