MSP Jackie Baillie has offered her support to businesses in her constituency, to mark Scotland Loves Local week.

The event, organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), aims to showcase the best of local business and highlight the critical need for the support residents can offer.

Dumbarton constituency MSP, Jackie, visited local traders to highlight the variety of services available in Dumbarton, Alexandria and Helensburgh.

Businesses and politicians joined forces to mark Scotland Loves Local week, which ran from August 26th to September 1st, showcasing the best local enterprises have to offer.

Residents are also being encouraged to sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge – signalling their commitment to choosing local whenever they possibly can, supporting the people and businesses around them.

Jackie visited Dumbarton eaterie Roo’s Kitchen, Helensburgh’s Deli in the Square and Wilkie’s EyeCare and Jewellers in Alexandria, as part of her tour of local businesses, to hear about the fantastic work they do in the community and encourage residents to support their local high street.

Jackie Baillie said: “Businesses such as Roo’s Kitchen, Deli in the Square and Wilkie’s are dedicated local traders, at the very forefront of their communities across Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh.

“Scotland Loves Local Week offers a chance to recognise their efforts and thank them for all that they are doing.

“I was pleased to meet with Sian Wilkie, Anna Curley and Amy Edwards, to hear about the work they do in the community and the support they receive.

“By supporting local businesses like these, we can ensure their survival, safeguard jobs, and keep money circulating in the local economy.

“Loving local means supporting a sustainable future for Dumbarton, Alexandria and Helensburgh and Lomond and making them even better places to live, work and visit.”

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, said: “Scotland Loves Local Week is a nationwide celebration of local excellence and it is fantastic that we’re welcoming politicians from across the country into businesses, social enterprises and community-led organisations to showcase the great spirit of entrepreneurialism and innovation we have here in Scotland.

“The simple act of choosing local has a profound effect, laying the foundations of a new future for towns and neighbourhoods as we seize and create opportunities to make them stronger and more sustainable.

“We need everyone to step forward and make a difference.”

People, businesses and other organisations can sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge by going to www.lovelocal.scot/pledge.