AS LOCKDOWN eases a little and shops reopen, I hope everyone takes the opportunity to shop locally as far as they possibly can.

The past few weeks have shown us how important local businesses are in our lives. The staff in many local businesses have gone above and beyond what could ever have been expected of them.

We have seen many working late hours to prepare food; supporting their local communities by delivering to the doorsteps of people who needed it most; supporting local coronavirus helpers groups and trying to ensure that they source the stock we need.

Shopping locally keeps our money local too, invests in our community and supports local jobs.

Now is the time to support those who have supported us.

Now is the time to shop local not just in the essential shops which have stayed open but also in those businesses which had to close and are just reopening. If we want to keep vibrant high streets in Montgomeryshire then we need to support them now.

As consumers we have choices to make. If we continue to support those businesses which pay no tax in the UK then there will be less to invest in the NHS and other services. Please support businesses who support us. Shop local.

Stay safe and stay hopeful

Kait Duerden,

Lletty Gwilym Isaf,

Cefn Coch