SHOPS and venues across East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire celebrated Small Business Saturday with a fun-filled weekend of festive activities.

Small businesses contribute around £75m a year to the Scottish economy, employing over 887,000 workers.

Research shows that money spent in local businesses is more likely to stay in the local economy than that spent in larger corporations.

The Barrhead Improvement District were behind the Barrhead lights switch-on at the weekend which coincided with Small Business Saturday.

Meanwhile in Johnstone, hundreds descended on Houstoun Square for a day of shopping and activities at the town's Christmas market.

Following the spectacular switch on of the town's Christmas lights, the event offered a range of stalls and entertainment for the entire family.

The event was hosted by the Johnstone Business Consortium (JBC) to coincide with national Small Business Day on Saturday.

JBC is a non-profit making and non-political organisation established three years ago to promote the extensive features and benefits of Johnstone for residents, shoppers and visitors alike.

Secretary for the JBC, Stacey Thomson was delighted with the turnout and the showcasing of Johnstone's vibrant retail offerings.

She said: "Santa arrived on a vintage fire engine where youngsters met him in his grotto.

"The bandstand hosted live entertainment, including the Johnstone High School senior and junior choir on the Friday.

"Then on the Saturday Johnstone Brass Band will take the stage, followed by the McGuigan Irish Dancers and The McCallum School of Music.

"There were some top quality items on offer from Renfrewshire businesses and we are looking forward to hosting another event in the future.

"Thank you to everyone who attended, a great day was had by the community."

Neil Bibby MSP for West Scotland, Labour visited Barrhead ahead of the lights switch-on to get behind some of the local businesses taking part in the event.

He said: "I was delighted to back our local independent businesses on Small Business Saturday.

"We should do all we can to thank them for the vital contribution they make to the local economy, adding to the local community and boosting diversity in our towns.

"There are lots of great businesses in the Barrhead area like the Cross Stobs Inn and the campaign is a great way of raising awareness and helping boost trade."