Shoppers are being urged to buy local this weekend in support of a nationwide campaign

The annual Small Business Saturday takes place on December 1 this year to promote the wealth of shops and service providers on people's doorsteps across the UK.

In Inverclyde, the area's Labour election candidate, Martin McCluskey, rolled up his sleeves and helped serve coffees at Gourock cafe One Cove Road, which is one of the many local firms backing the campaign.

Mr McCluskey said: "Small businesses are really important to the health of the Scottish economy.

"In Scotland, 98 per cent of businesses are classed a small business, employing over one million people and contributing something like £68 billion to the economy. "They're not only important for employment but the whole health of the Scottish economy and that's the reason why I'm here today, to promote Small Business Saturday.

"This is a nationwide event that's been running for a good number of years now to encourage people to spend their money in small, local businesses. "We want them to do that all year round but especially this Saturday with people starting their Christmas shopping.

"Spend locally instead of buying from big, online retailers and maybe also have a coffee or lunch in one of the many great cafes and restaurants in Gourock and across Inverclyde all while supporting businesses that are based and rooted in the community to ensure that money is not flowing out of Inverclyde."

One Cove Road general manager, Ozgur Koca, pictured with cafe supervisor Lauren Gallacher, hopes people come out in force on Saturday.

He said: "It's a good idea and we are more than happy to support it because we are one of the small businesses in Gourock and we do our best to please people."

For more information about the campaign visit smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com