Shopkeepers in Diss and Harleston have hailed the environmental benefits of the Mercury's Shop Local for Christmas campaign.

Scores of independent stores have already signed up for the scheme, which was launched last week and will result in one lucky reader winning �1,000.

Traders urged people to support local shops, which will not only support the local economy, but will also help the environment by reducing car emissions.

Mick Madgett, of Madgetts Cycles, in Shelfanger Road, in Diss, who signed up to the Shop Local initiative this week, said there was no need for locals to travel to Norwich in their cars. He added that people could even cycle into town to do their Christmas shopping.

'Why go to Norwich when you can get it all in Diss? And it is less stress. People cycle from as far as Norwich to come to the store and go for coffee and a cake in town afterwards,' he said.

Another supporter of the Mercury's campaign is Harleston eco-shop allthingsgreener, in Church Street, which has been run by Simon and Laura Marjoram for the last three years.

Mrs Marjoram said: 'Shopping local is low carbon shopping. Shopping local helps ensure that we keep the wide range of independent shops that we have in Harleston. It helps to reduce the distance and energy used by shoppers to buy what they want.'

To download your Shop Local for Christmas 'passport', visit our website at www.dissmercury24.co.uk or visit our office in Mere Street, Diss.