FOUR businesses in North Yorkshire are among 100 across the country to have been selected to take part in a national campaign to support small businesses.

Following last year's inLaugural event, Small Business Saturday is returning for 2014 on December 6.

As part of the campaign 100 small business across the UK have been selected to be featured in the 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday, with one business being profiled every day on social media channels.

All the chosen businesses will also be running their own promotional activities on Small Business Saturday.

The Acorn Gallery in Pocklington is one of the chosen 100 and enjoyed its day in the spotlight last week.

Owner Diane Wass, who runs the business with her husband John, said: "We have already seen more interaction on our social media channels, and have had messages of support from other businesses.

"We won't see the true value for a little while but bit by bit it is gaining momentum, and we're looking forward to getting together with all the other 100 businesses."

Also chosen for the Small Business Saturday 100 campaign is York Cocoa House in Blake Street.

On December 6 the business will be inviting visitors to taste and discover how the business has learnt from York's great chocolate makers of the past to create its own Cocoa House Chocolate.

Also in York is Hoglets, which offers drama and storytelling classes for children. They will be running a free storytelling class on the day, followed by a workshop on how to make shadow puppets.

Rafi's Spicebox, which has branches in York and Harrogate, sells the ‘Curry Pack’, which is hand mixed in store before being cooked at home by the customer following the recipe provided.

They are planning to create a Local Recommendations Board for each of their sites in time for Small Business Saturday on which they will host profiles onother local businesses they want to champion.

Boroughbridge Post Office and Card Shop is also taking part and will be asking all local schools to design a stamp. The winning entry will be printed and put on all items posted from Boroughbridge Post Office on Small Business Saturday and in the run-up to Christmas.

National Campaign director Michelle Ovens said: "The first Small Business Saturday last year was an exceptional example of collaboration and co-operation with small businesses teaming up in communities around the UK.

"This year’s Small Business Saturday 100 reinforces that message and demonstrates the level of diversity, innovation and talent that is active within our small business sector."