AN MSP has announced she is running a competition to celebrate the best small businesses in West Dunbartonshire.

Scottish Conservative MSP Pam Gosal is launching her Small Business Awards to celebrate the best-loved companies that are crucial to the local community.

The competition will run in the build-up to Christmas with the aim of encouraging more people to buy locally during the festive season.

Ms Gosal, who is the MSP for the West of Scotland, said the initiative is her way of recognising the "many great" independent firms in the area.

She said: “There are so many brilliant small businesses operating all over West Dunbartonshire who are a key part of our local communities. 

“We are very lucky to have so many great local shops, services, cafes, and enterprises of all kinds.

“My Small Business Awards will celebrate the fantastic companies doing great work in our local area. 

“This competition is your chance to shine a light on your favourite local business and encourage more people to shop local as we look towards the festive season.

“As Christmas approaches, it’s really important to promote the places where people can shop, eat, drink, relax and do business locally.

“Spending money at the businesses on our doorsteps has never been more important because many are still struggling to recover from the Covid pandemic and the global energy price crisis.

"Ahead of Small Business Saturday, I’m asking everyone to nominate their favourite local business so we can highlight the best-loved traders across West Dunbartonshire.

“Nominating a business for these awards is easy. The form on my website can be completed quickly in no time at all.

“The competition will close in mid-November so please come forward now and tell us which small businesses you think deserve to be recognised and celebrated.”

Ms Gosal went on to urge people to come forward and provide their own suggestions to crown the best small businesses across the area.

Voting will start in October on Ms Gosal’s website here.

The MSP has invited locals to submit nominations and share the competition on social media so others can also take part.

Nominations close on November 17 and the winners will be announced on Small Business Saturday, which falls on December 2 this year.