High street traders in the Vale of Glamorgan have released a music track appealing to residents to shop local this Christmas.

'Shop Local This Christmas' which is sung to the tune of John Lennon's Happy Christmas has been released to encourage residents to visit their local high street in the lead up to Christmas.

The track features traders from across the Vale's four towns –Cowbridge, Penarth, Llantwit Major and Barry, along with vocals from students in the Vale Academy of Performing Arts.

The track is musically arranged and produced by Vale of Glamorgan resident Matthew Brind, an internationally renowned composer, conductor and arranger, who has worked on Britain's Got Talent, X Factor, America's Got Talent and a number of West End Musicals.

After COVID restrictions forced retailers to close early last Christmas, pandemic-hit shops across the Vale of Glamorgan are calling for local support this year.

It is the latest in a Vale Town Centres campaign by Vale of Glamorgan Council encouraging residents to support local traders in Cowbridge, Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major.

Musical producer, Matthew Brind said: "I'm lucky to work all over the world but it's been amazing to work right here in my local community to highlight what brilliant local businesses we have. It's so important to support each other this Christmas and I hope that the track encourages people to shop local."

Singer Emily Langford who runs independent pizzeria The Yard in Cowbridge said: "It was great to be a part of the Christmas video with such a friendly community of local businesses. Hopefully the public will enjoy our efforts and support us this Christmas."

Cllr Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, from the Council said: "While this song is a bit of fun, it has a really important message. High street traders across the Vale support our local economy and support our local community. It's really important that we support them this Christmas. We hope that this music track and video encourages residents to shop local, spend local, eat local and enjoy local this Christmas."

This project is part of the wider Vale Town Centres campaign, co-ordinated by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and funded through Welsh Government, Transforming Towns funding'.

Featured traders:

Penarth - Ener-chi, Griffin Books, Brod-The Danish Bakery, Foxy's Deli, A B Snell & Son, Stol Coffee, Windsor Fruit Stores, The Queen B Boutique, The Busy Tea Pot, Zero Penarth

Cowbridge - Thornbush Hill, The Pencil Case, Fich & Ramous, The Yard, The Bear, Swansea Building Society

Llantwit Major[.B - High Society

Barry - The Tracks at The Goodsheds, Chris Davies Estate & Lettings Agents, Awesome Wales

Shop Local This Christmas Lyrics

Barry, Cowbridge, Penarth.

Support all our staff.

Shop local this Christmas,

There's gifts and decorations,

Online shopping can wait.

It's never too late.

Shop local this Christmas (We are open).

Help local people (Come and join us).

You're welcome to browse.

The queues and the crowds.

A big merry Christmas,

We're working together,

For your food and your booze (Christmas shopping).

How can you refuse (local traders).

And so happy Christmas,

The big and the small ones,

Vale Town Centres needs you.

That much is true.

Shopping Local.

Shopping Local.