INDEPENDENT businesses in a North-East town held an event yesterday to showcase their products and services to potential customers in a bid to get them to buy locally.

The firms behind Darlington’s Buy Local campaign held an open day to get businesses, residents and organisations behind the idea, which aims to boost the town’s economy.

Held at Darlington College, the event featured Darlington’s independent retailers and traders showcasing products and services to hundreds of visitors.

The campaign has the support of 200 of businesses and organisations, including sponsors Teesside University, Darlington Borough Council, Sherwoods and Lingfield Point, as well as The Northern Echo.

Patrick Masheder, vicechairman of the Darlington Business Club, instigators of the campaign, said the event had been so successful that plans were in place for the next one, in February, adding: “Today was fantastic, the next one will be bigger and better.”

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman has also backed the initiative. Businesses are invited to register themselves online and join other local firms that have already pledged to support the Darlington economy.

Businesses with a DL1 or TS1 postcode can sign up for free and be featured in the business directory.

Mrs Chapman said: “We have some great businesses in the town and we need local residents to take every opportunity to buy local produce and use local suppliers. To buy local means supporting our businesses, jobs and Darlington’s economy.”