Residents who received a ‘Scotland Loves Local’ gift card late last year are being reminded that today is the last day it can be activated.

East Renfrewshire Council distributed the £100 gift cards in December to more than 4,500 low-income households in the area who are eligible for a council tax reduction.

The cards, which can only be spent within the local authority area, aim to support residents who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, as well as helping local businesses as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Once activated, the cards are valid for one year and can be used at more than 130 businesses across East Renfrewshire.

The scheme is supported by the Scottish Government’s Local Authority Economic Recovery Fund, which aims to stimulate business activity following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last month, the Barrhead News told how the initiative had already given trade a much-needed boost.

Kirsty Lafferty, co-owner of Country Feeds Pet Supplies and Pet Parlour, in Barrhead, said at the time: “Most people spending their East Renfrewshire Gift Card with us are regulars but we’ve had new customers too.

“Even after 30 years in Barrhead, people will still come into the shop and say they didn’t know we were here.

“It’s surprising but just goes to show that people really do need an incentive to go into their local town, see what’s there and actually go inside businesses they’ve never been in before.”

To activate your card online, visit https://orlo.uk/FsVyu and to find out more about the scheme, visit https://orlo.uk/2Wymo.