Campaigners are calling for a voucher scheme aimed at supporting local businesses to be extended to Cheltenham.

Mark Coote, the town's Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, says the scheme has already proved a big hit in Tewkesbury.

He said: "Small shops are the lifeblood of our community and anything we can do to support them is a positive step.

"There is a very good model already working in the county, which I would like to see adopted in Cheltenham."

The Tewkesbury scheme, which also covers Bishop's Cleeve and Winchcombe, has more than 70 shops signed up.

Shoppers can buy vouchers for £4.50 or £9 and then redeemed for £5 or £10 in participating shops.

The idea is to reward shoppers who choose to support independent shops.

The scheme, a joint initiative between Gloucestershire First and Tewkesbury Borough Council, has proved popular with shoppers.

Mr Coote said: "In this financial climate it is especially important to back independent traders and adopting a scheme which has already been tried locally is the perfect way to do this."

Mr Coote (right) is also calling on Cheltenham Borough Council to appoint a retail champion.

He said: "Cheltenham already has the Business Pride organisation but I feel that this is more focused on the larger business community rather than small shops.

"A retail champion would fight the cause of people who need it most."

At the end of last year Mr Coote launched a Save Our Small Shops campaign which has seen hundreds of people sign petitions in support of local shops.

Mr Coote's campaign is being supported by Cheltenham borough councillor Jackie Fletcher.

She said: "I want to see individual shops thrive and flourish without the influences of the 'big boys taking over.

"More must be done to encourage them – legislation is a minefield and must be simplified and business rates need to be reduced."

For more information on the campaign, visit www.saveoursmallshops.org.uk