"Please look after our lovely town of Ossett and come shopping with us.”

Many of the town's businesses have suffered during the Covid crisis.

But Debbie Squires, owner of Squires Family Deli, has launched a Facebook group to encourage people to use the town to do their Christmas shopping.She said: “We have got a really lovely town and amazing shops that people don’t know are there and if people don’t shop local we could lose our town.

“The more people we get visiting and shopping the stronger the town will be.”

Due to the coronavirus crisis, the town's annual events, including Ossett Big Screen and Ossett in the 40’s, have been cancelled, meaning the town has lost a lot of custom.

Debbie said: “You can get virtually anything in Ossett from clothes, accessories, gifts, flowers, hampers and even Christmas trees.”

Ian and Emma Harrison run Cupalicious Cakes and opened their first shop in Ossett just a few months before lockdown.He said: "We have struggled but we have had a lot of support from our followers and they have kept us going.

"Ossett means everything to us and they have helped keep our business going.

"We are very grateful for everyone supporting us, Ossett is a beautiful small town and there are some amazing businesses all in walking distance and even free parking so come and join us this Christmas."

Cupalicious Cakes will be launching their own 12 Days of Christmas giveaway with customers receiving free gifts during the festive period.

Terry Lennon, owner of Wellgate Cafe, has also been affected by Covid with his business having to close in March.

He has since reopened but said that it took at least four weeks for business to return to normal.

Terry said: “If people do not shop local we will have empty units in Ossett in 12 months time.

“A lot of businesses in Ossett are family run businesses and if we all shop local we are all helping each other and helping our town.”

Terry has noticed a decrease in customers due to the rise of Covid cases but says the town is safe to visit.

He said: “There is nothing to fear, all the businesses are doing a great job with precautions and extra safety measurements to make it safe for customers.”

He said he will be offering a Christmas menu and also supplying afternoon tea to go for families to enjoy at home.

A new Facebook group supporting the town's businesses has been created and features competitions, polls and plenty of items for sale.

Debbie said: “Please look after our lovely town and come shopping with us.”

To visit the Facebook page for more information or to join in visit the page here.