Shoppers across Ayrshire are being urged to buy from local stores this Black Friday and make it a bumper payday for businesses in their region.

The team behind the Scotland Loves Local campaign is calling on everyone to think local first during the entire countdown to Christmas rather than turning to online retail.

They are also encouraging people to spend using the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, ensuring the money they spend stays local for longer by directly supporting shops, attractions and jobs in their area.

Black Friday – which this year falls on November 24 – has become a key date in the festive shopping calendar, with major multi-national retailers offering often huge discounts on items.

Increasingly, however, local businesses have also adopted offers – making it a key part in the so-called Golden Quarter during the lead up to Christmas.

Scotland Loves Local is the campaign that urges people to think, choose and spend locally to build better futures for their community.

It is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), with support from the Scottish Government.

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s interim chief officer, said: “Our call is simple: Please don’t just turn to the online giants on Black Friday and throughout the festive shopping season.

"Local businesses – which so often offer great buys which are special and unique – need to benefit too.

“The unfortunate reality is that a successful Christmas can mean the difference between surviving or not for many businesses. 

“Whether in person or online, we would encourage everyone to think local first when shopping. It’s an investment in your community’s future.

“It’s critical for the future of local high streets and communities that we get behind the people around us by supporting local businesses whenever we can, whether physically or virtually.”