Shoppers will be rewarded for choosing small independent retailers over high street giants and big online stores this weekend.

Shopkeepers in market towns across the county have already signed up to be part of Small Business Saturday – a grassroots economic campaign, now in its third year.

Waveney District Council will also be aiming to increase high street footfall with its own ‘My Waveney’ special offer scheme, launched in October alongside Waveney Business Forum.

Shoppers can collect a ‘My Waveney’ membership card from selected local retailers for exclusive deals and discounts on goods in participating stores.

The scheme also encourages residents to travel to other town centres across the district, including Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Lowestoft and Southwold.

Michael Ladd, Waveney’s economic development chief, said: “Small Business Saturday highlights the importance of supporting our local independent businesses, and using ‘My Waveney’, shoppers can benefit from a range of exclusive offers available on their doorstep.

“I hope that both initiatives will inspire and encourage residents to ‘shop local’ and visit the wealth of small retailers available in our market towns.”

Local businesses, and their respective offers, are promoted via social media and in the monthly newsletter sent to all ‘My Waveney’ card holders.

All participating businesses will be supplied with promotional materials, including a poster and window sticker alerting shoppers to their involvement in the scheme.

‘My Waveney’ membership cards are currently available at Beccles Books, Blyburgate Antiques, Kulture Shock, Saxons and Sweet Memories in Beccles; at Moth Crafts, Coopers, and Giddens and Thompson in Bungay; at Coopers in Halesworth, and at Cheveux Boutique Hair Salon, The Kirkley Centre and The Trawlerman Fish and Chips in Lowestoft.

For more information about ‘My Waveney’, follow @MyWaveney on Twitter or visit facebook.com/mywaveney.

Businesses and customers can show their involvement in Small Business Saturday by using #smallbizsatuk on social media.

Businesses wishing to feature an offer or discount in the ‘My Waveney’ scheme should contact info@mywaveney.co.uk.

In Suffolk Coastal, MP Therese Coffey is encouraging people to support Small Business Saturday.

She said: “I fully support Small Business Saturday and believe that we should be doing all we can to support small businesses throughout the year.

“Last year, the number of businesses being founded reached a record high of 351,000. This is testament to our great entrepreneurs and the Government’s support for those wanting to take the risk and build something of their own.”