Cheshire East Council and local business champions Love Local Life are giving their support to the Macclesfield and Wilmslow Business Awards 2011.

The council has been working with Macclesfield businesswoman Mandy Fazelynia, of Love Local Life, to promote buying local and will sponsor the Independent Retailer of the Year award.

Coun Jamie Macrae, prosperity portfolio holder for Cheshire East Council, said: "Cheshire East Council is delighted to support the Macclesfield and Wilmslow Business Awards.

"As the third largest unitary authority in the north west, the council has the region’s strongest economy of £7.4billion.

"Independent retailers are at the heart of our communities, making the towns and villages of Cheshire East such vibrant places to live.

"That is why we are particularly pleased to be supporting this particular category."

Judges will be looking for local businesses in the retail sector which can prove they have grown financially, show creativity, with a track record of excellent customer service.

Coun Macrae, who is also a judge at the awards, added: "Love Local Life is a great local discount and reward card which was successfully launched in Macclesfield over a year ago and is strongly supported by Cheshire East Council.

"At a time when high streets are struggling to cope with the effects of a recession and a slow recovery period, we are proud to be supporting such a proactive campaign."

Mandy, owner of Fina Bar and Grill, said: "Love Local Life has provided a much-needed boost to the local economy in Macclesfield and we’re confident that the scheme could do the same for other towns across Cheshire East."