The acting chairman of Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce has called on people to support local shops when the national lockdown ends this week.

Paul Manning, who runs Blue Cedar Print Works, says he hopes Glastonbury residents will do their Christmas shopping locally once the area moves into the Tier 2 restrictions on Wednesday (December 2).

Mr Manning said the chamber were aware of the challenges of trading in Tier 2, but they would do everything they could to help businesses in the town over the coming weeks.

He told Glastonbury Nub News: "I am delighted that the shops will be able to reopen this week, so people have an opportunity to support the local shops to complete their Christmas shopping.

"This weekend, of course, we would normally have had the Frost Fair, but that is yet another major event not happening in the town this year.

"Like many towns coming out of lockdown, we are aware of the challenge of remaining in Tier 2, but Glastonbury Chamber is doing everything it can to help our shops and businesses remain as accessible as possible for our visitors and local customers.

"I am really excited about the new MyMendip website, funded by Mendip District Council, which is offering local shops the opportunity to sell their products online either via a Click and Collect (or mail order) Service at a fraction of the cost of designing their own website.

"The site will be going live shortly and the chamber is encouraging all local businesses to sign-up so they can take full advantage of this new retail platform when it launches."