INDEPENDENT Carlisle businesses are to set up a Totally Locally campaign in the city.

The decision was made by representatives of 20 local businesses at a meeting last week,

The initiative, which began in West Yorkshire but has spread throughout the country, encourages people to shop in locally-owned stores.

These in turn tend to use local suppliers, creating a trickle down benefit.

Totally Locally estimates that Carlisle's economy would benefit by £26m a year if every resident spent £5 a week with locally-owned businesses.

Keith Jackson, a retail analyst at the University of Cumbria, is involved in the initiative.

He said:” I’ve been speaking to the team from Totally Locally.

"They’re going to send us the kit to get up and running and we should be starting the campaign in a week or so and then we’ll plan the next stage.

"It’s all going to happen fairly gradually. We’re all volunteers.”

Totally Locally is made up of marketing specialists, designers, brand experts, consultants and activists.

Their free to use marketing aids include a 'manifesto' and 'declaration of independents' that retailers can display.

The latter pledges: “We are unique. We create real, local jobs. We pay fair taxes. We love our town.”