WHEN cookie-cutter towns are everywhere the diversity small shops bring to the high street can be invaluable.

To celebrate the role small shops do in their communities the Best Small Shops Competition is looking for this year's winner.

Judges are looking for small shops’ entrepreneurial spirit, ways that they have been innovative in their business and what they have done to have a lasting positive impact on their community.

The competition is being supported by Bolton North East MP David Crausby. He said: “Small shops can play a big role in the local community.

"They boost diversity on the high street and give people a unique shopping experience.

"There are lots of great businesses in Bolton and I want to see them recognised for the vital contribution they make to the local economy.”

Previous winners include Yorkshire deli Hunters of Helmsley.

To enter visit bestsmallshops.co.uk, a group of shortlisted businesses will be invited to a Parliamentary reception with their MP in November and will find out who will be crowned the Best Small Shop 2018.