COWDENBEATH'S Festive Fiver Fest has launched as part of the area's Love Cowdenbeath Shop Local campaign.

Today has kicked off the week-long initiative that sees shops and businesses in the town encourage shoppers to spend locally.

This year there are 18 businesses taking part and they have all put together special £5 offers to showcase their products and services and to give customers an extra excuse to pop in and spend money.

In what has been a difficult and challenging year for everyone, businesses and services need the support of their local community more than ever to keep going.

Shopping local and using local services helps to support the local economy, creates jobs and boosts local communities.

Even spending as little as £5 helps - from popping into a local family run café for a cup of tea, buying a gift from an independent shop or treating a friend or family member - or even your pet - to a new look at a local salon.

Using these services can help local business owners and local communities sustain and thrive.

“Cowdenbeath is a town where there is a wealth of great independent businesses who offer a wide range of products along with excellent customer service and knowledge”, said Christine Gourlay from Love Cowdenbeath.

“Spending your money with local businesses helps the local economy and word spreads of the great offer and increases tourism and local employment.

“We have a population of just under 9,000 people aged over 16 in Cowdenbeath.

“If each adult spent £5 locally per week we would boost the local economy by £2.34m a year.”

Participating businesses on the High Street will have a poster in their window which will show what their unique offer is until Sunday.

And information will appear on the Love Cowdenbeath Facebook Page and Instagram account.

Christine added: “So please come down to Cowdenbeath and help support your local town centre and economy.”