THE best of Yorkshire's independent retailers will be on show at the Yorkshire Independent Grocers' Association (YIGA) annual trade show.

The event, on February 15 and 16, at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate, will not only promote the county's retailers and producers, but announce the winners of the association's local shop awards.

The theme of the show will be Farm To Local Shop and will showcase a number of schemes to help the producer reach the retailer.

"All the time the independent trade is being threatened by multiple take-overs, but there will always be a need for local shops for only they offer real service, choice and value," said YIGA secretary Peter Brant.

"The event is a first for the many sectors to come together at one venue and share their respective ideas and problems.

"Only with co-operation does the independent sector have a real future."

The competition is being sponsored by a number of organisations including The Countryside Agency and Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), sponsors of the Evening Press Eat Local campaign.

"We are very pleased to be sponsoring both campaigns," said YAS chief executive Nigel Pulling.

"We want to let people know the quality as well as the techniques and existence of our regional producers.

"These competitions are another way of promoting them. In the current climate publicity is desperately needed."

The YIGA has also pledged its support of the Eat Local campaign which it says is trying to achieve the same goal - to persuade people to eat, drink and think local.

"Any publicity on promoting local and regional retailers rural or otherwise is vital to the survival of independent traders," said vice-chairman Andrew Seymour.

Updated: 09:45 Thursday, January 02, 2003