INDEPENDENT'S day is coming to Ludlow in a bid to boost business.

And backing it is a man who in his best recalled television role knew a thing or two about business.

Ludlow will be celebrating its first Independent’s Day on the same day the United States celebrates Independence Day on Friday July 4.

It will be a day that recognises the strength of its own high street shops which consist of many independently owned businesses with very few high street chains.

To help make this day a memorable one the Ludlow Chamber have asked actor John Challis to help raise awareness by going on a shopping spree,

John is a great supporter of Ludlow’s many shops and perhaps is best known as the businessman 'Boycie’ in ‘Only Fools and Horses'

He will be taking time out from his busy acting schedule to enjoy the opportunity of making purchases in many of his favourite shops.

The day links with a national initiative which had more than 150 locations celebrating their own Independent's Days in last year’s version.

Ludlow Chamber of Trade say that unlike many other ‘clone towns’ that support the same old names and brands, Ludlow has for many years comprised of butchers, bakers and candlestick makers alongside specialist interior, food, arts and crafts and fashion shops.

What began back in late 2012 with Ludlow Chamber handing out 100 ‘Only in Ludlow’ window stickers to all of the independently owned shops in Ludlow town centre, has now developed into a website blog written by Adam Withington of Black Bough which can be found at www.onlyinludlow.org.uk.

Now developing the awareness of many of the independent shops the Ludlow Chamber are adding places to go shopping on to the Ludlow Guide TiCL app which is free and accessible to all those with smart phones.

“This is really an opportunity to raise awareness of the special shopping offer which Ludlow provides,” said Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Trade.

“We are very proud of our high street and need to broadcast its many excellent shops to a much wider audience.

"The chamber is hoping our Independent’s Day will capture people’s imaginations and provoke a desire to come and shop in Ludlow.”