A CHIPPENHAM businesswoman has been chosen to champion this year's Small Business Saturday across the West Country.

Alison Edgar, owner of Chippenham based Sales Coaching Solutions, will be one of 20 entrepreneurs around the UK promoting the event, which takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December each year.

American Express is the founding supporter of the day, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local'.

The company delivers professional sales and customer service training nationwide for start-up companies, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations.

Mrs Edgar and Sales Coaching Solutions' behaviour profiling specialist, Alex Elliott, are very excited to have been invited to the Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 28.

Mrs Edgar said: “Small Business Saturday plays a valuable role in focusing the minds of consumers and fellow business owners on what small businesses can offer in terms of range of products and services and levels of customer service.

“Most people in this country either own a small business, work for a small business or know somebody who does so we are delighted to have been asked to champion Small Business Saturday 2015 in the West Country and to do what we can to get people thinking small.”

National campaign director Michelle Ovens said: “This year's strapline will be 'Five million small businesses, one big day.

"Our champions have a crucial role to play in mobilising that support and in ensuring that Small Business Saturday comes to life for small business owners in their local areas. They are our feet on the ground.”

In the build-up to the day, a series of free workshops led by prominent small business experts and entrepreneurs around the country will be made available to watch on the Small Business Saturday YouTube channel.

See www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com