THERE is just one week left to crown Rossendale and Darwen’s best shops.

The constituency’s MP Jake Berry is urging local people to get behind independent traders in the final seven days of a competition to crown the its best. outlet.

The competition, running until 5pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 and supported by local trade organisations, ISSL Web Design and Orbital Design and Print, asks local people to vote for their favourite independent retailer.

Everyone who votes is entered into a raffle to win a £50 voucher and prizes for the winning shops include professional marketing sessions and a parliament tour of Parliament and lunch with Mr Berry.

Mr Berry said: “This competition is a small way of letting our local retailers know how much we appreciate and support them.

“Here in Rossendale and Darwen, we are really lucky to have many wonderful and unique independent shops who are the life blood of our communities.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the support the competition has received. “Thousands of votes have been cast so far, however it’s still very close – every vote really does count.”

Last year’s winners were County Garden in Bank Street, Rawtenstall in Rossendale and Minerva in Darwen.

For more details and to vote, visit www.mybestlocalshop.co.uk