DON'T forget to shop at your favourite local stores for your chance to win during the last week of the Myrtleford Times and Alpine Observer's 'Buy Local and Win' promotion!

The pre-Christmas promotion ends on Wednesday, December 18, so drop your competition entries into the boxes located at local particpating stores across Alpine Shire to enter the draw to win one of this year's three major prizes:

*1st prize: a $2000 voucher to spend at Foodworks in Myrtleford, Mount Beauty or Yackandandah;

*2nd prize: an $800 voucher to spend at Catani Clothing and Strides in Bright; and

*3rd prize: a Billy Button Wines Pack valued at over $500!

There are also dozens of $100 vouchers from local retailers to be won as runner-up prizes!

Co-owner of Sportfirst sporting equipment and toy store in Myrtleford, Paul Maskell, said the promotion is great for the town.

"Our business has been involved with the Buy Local and Win promotion for almost 30 years," Paul said.

"The promotion should be very good for the area," said co-owner, Wendy Maskell.

"Hopefully it encourages people to come in store and support their local businesses and families instead of bigger corporations.

"Our camping and toy catalogues are out now to help with gift ideas.

"We're open from now through to Christmas, (except on Sundays) and also on Boxing Day from 9am to 1pm to keep the day balanced.

"People are also getting ready to go camping over the New Year's break."

The 'Buy Local and Win' promotion is all about supporting your local businesses.

For more information, see Page18 of today's edition.