A campaign aimed at boosting independent business and celebrating what makes Sidmouth’s retail experience unique is under way for the third year running.

The Christmas Shopping Challenge gives customers the chance to win £200 towards their festive purchases while supporting the local economy.

Twenty-five of the town’s independent businesses are participating this year.

Organiser Claire Jenkins hopes the challenge, which runs until Chritmas Eve, will attract as much interest as it has in the past. She said: “For every £1 you spend with a local, independent business, between 50-70p circulates back into your local economy. Shopping locally supports local traders, their suppliers and the people they depend on to run their businesses.

“Shopping online or out of town may save you a little time, but for every £1 you spend, only five pence trickles back into your local economy. When you shop with your local independents you are doing ‘your bit’ to keep your high street or town ‘open for business’.

“Sadly, it really is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.”

Anyone shopping at one of the participating independent shops will receive a challenge leaflet, which will be marked with a ‘bauble’ for each purchase. After collecting 10 baubles, shoppers will be entered into a prize draw for £200 of vouchers that can be spent locally. The shopping challenge is supported by the Herald, Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce and the town’s representative on Devon County Council, Councillor Stuart Hughes, who provided £150 from his locality budget.

Cllr Hughes said: “I am delighted to support this challenge. Sidmouth is very lucky to have a good range of independent shops, and it’s important that we as residents and visitors to the town continue to support them.”

A full list of participating shops can be found at www.sidmouthindieshops.co.uk. More details in next Friday’s Herald.