BACK your High Street traders at Christmas or face losing them. That is the message from business leaders who are urging the public to show shops their support during the festive season, following an economic downturn this year.

The Marlow and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce has issued its appeal before this week's Late Night Shopping Event.

This follows a decline in business for many stores across the town centre, which is seen as a national trend affecting other rural towns.

And Jo Braybrooke, president of the chamber, said the shopping event tonight would be even more important to traders because of the decline.

The climate has been worse this year due to a 50 per cent rise in business rates forcing some stores to move out and others to consider selling up.

She said: "I would say the economic climate is worse this year and we are hoping the shopping event will help.

"I feel very strongly about this because it is a very good advert for the town. Everybody traders will be open and they are always pretty full with people looking and buying which is what we want. Even if they look and decide to come back later and buy that is a good thing."

Richard Hunt of Hunt's Hardware in Spittal Street, who was forced to put one of his shops on the market recently, said: "Personally we don't get loads of customers but the fact that the event is a massive advert for the town is great. It brings people in and it is very important after such a year for a lot of us."

Businesses are throwing their support behind the event by making donations to the town's Christmas lights which have already been put up.

They will be switched on by mayor, Cllr Roger Wilson, at 6.30pm on Thursday (December 1) following a traditional carol service in The Causeway outside Burgers at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

The event will shut the High Street from 3.30pm to 10pm as a funfair, stalls, and other festive fun take centre stage. Most shops will be open to around 9pm and Santa Claus will be there for the children.

Attractions include a raffle in which a dinner-for-two is first prize.