AN MP is encouraging the residents of Hook to shop locally this weekend.

Ranil Jayawardena, North East Hampshire MP, will be showing support for a new campaign, called High Street Saturday, in Hook village centre on March 16.

The new day aims to celebrate the place of high streets and village centres by shopping locally and share the experience online using the hashtag #HighStreetSaturday.

Mr Jayawardena said: “Village centres like Hook’s are instrumental in bringing people together – acting as a meeting place for friends and families and long supporting jobs for local people.”

Jenny Copeland, of Hartletts Cafe of Ravenscroft, said: “More people are shopping online and out of town, and that does affect footfall on the high street and around the village, but support on business rates has definitely been a help for us.

“It’s brilliant to see that the Government is prioritising small business and encouraging people to shop locally. I look forward to welcoming people on March 16.”