A number of shops in Kent will be taking part in Small Business Saturday next weekend.

The event on Saturday, December 3, is intended to encourage consumers to “shop local” and support their communities.

Among the small businesses offering customers extra discounts or bonuses that day will be The Sevenoaks Florist in St John’s Hill, where customers will get an extra 25% of blooms with every bunch free, plus a mince pie.

Owner Joanna Newsome said: “We hope to encourage potential customers to call in so that we can help them with their Christmas shopping.

"We can create and deliver the perfect stunning flower gifts for all those ‘hard to buy for’ friends and family.”

Neil Eames, the development manager for the Federation of Small Business, said: “When consumers see the diversity and value on offer in independent shops, we hope it will make them more inclined to use local firms, leading to booming local economies.

“Small Business Saturday helps to remind us what fantastic firms are out there.”