BLAENAU Gwent MP Nick Smith has urged everyone to shop local this season as he celebrated small firms in the build up to Small Business Saturday tomorrow.

Last year, Britain’s first Small Business Saturday gave a boost to local shops through extra trade of nearly £500 million.

As part of the build up, the Blaenau Gwent MP championed Tudor Brewery, the Llanhilleth family business that in four years has gone from humble beginnings to being stocked in more than 300 pubs nationwide.

With a deal being now being struck that could see that number increase to the thousands, Mr Smith said local success stories can only take off if they get a good start.

“It’s too easy to talk about business and think about the big guns, when in reality most businesses are fighting to come good a few yards down the road,” he said.

“It’s been great to see this small operation realise its potential and we should be celebrating their successes .”

Tudor Brewery director Jaime C Devine, whose business is based in Blaenau Gwent, said keeping it local had meant a lot as they went from strength to strength.

“People shopping at home is essential for our business. It’s great, even if at the moment we are better known outside Blaenau Gwent than inside,” he said.