Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price AM and Jonathan Edwards MP are supporting the Small Business Saturday initiative this weekend by pledging to do as much of their Christmas shopping as possible in local independent stores.

The Small Business Saturday initiative, which encourages shoppers to support their local high street, is now in its sixth year and takes place on Saturday, December 1.

Traders who sign-up to the initiative can receive branding and advertising materials to help promote their business.

The Plaid Cymru elected members pledged to support small shops this Christmas and congratulated Carmarthenshire Council for the free car parking pilot schemes is it running to support small towns and traders across the county.

Assembly Member Adam Price said: "You'll often hear politicians saying that small businesses are our economic lifeline, but in the case of Wales, small and medium-sized businesses make up more than 60% of businesses in the economy.

"Small businesses keep local people employed, keep our high streets as vibrant as possible and provide a range of goods and services with a better customer experience than clicking a button online.

"In a welcome move to support local shops the county council has rolled out a pilot scheme of free parking across Carmarthenshire towns. I'm delighted to have played a part in securing funding for this initiative, and I look forward to seeing the results of the pilot scheme.

"There are a host of reasons to swap the internet for the high street, and I for one pledge to do as much of my shopping as possible in local shops."

Mr Edwards added: "It is estimated that for every pound spent at an independent company, around 70p stays in the local economy. The Federation of Small Businesses estimates just five per cent of turnover from a supermarket stays local.

"As I say each Christmas, the continuing growth of online shopping continues to bring challenges for local traders, but without them our towns would be facing an even more challenging future.

"We are once again backing the Small Business Saturday initiative and I personally pledge to continue to support our local shops. I would encourage everyone who can to do so."