WITH the country gripped in a harsh recession the Examiner today begins a campaign to save you money and support local businesses.

Times are tough for everyone so we will be giving you a step-by-step guide on how to make every penny count.

We want to back Huddersfield-based businesses which are doing their best to survive in the downturn.

And we want to help you, our readers, by giving you the latest information about where to bag a bargain and save money while supporting local businesses.

In a bid to beat the credit crunch and support Huddersfield, the Examiner will run a series of recession-busting stories from business leaders, experts and readers all giving their own tips.

And among the doom and gloom, we’ll be bringing you some success stories, the latest on the jobs market and what you can do to keep Huddersfield alive and kicking.

But now we need you.

Have you come up with great or quirky money-saving ideas to beat the recession? How are you making ends meet against all odds?

How are you coping if you’ve lost your job? Are you a family surviving on a tiny household budget per week?

Are you a business offering something extra special and want to shout about it?

If so we’d love to profile you in our recession-busting column and pass on your advice.

What is a recession? A recession is a period of financial difficulty in which little is being bought or sold. It is the reduction of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) for at least two quarters.

How many people in Huddersfield are affected? Everyone is making cut backs and as the fear of the recession deepens more people are keeping hold of their cash.

The number of people claiming job seekers allowance is rising with an extra 706 people claiming the allowance in Huddersfield and the Colne Valley since December.

What can I do locally? Support locally-owned businesses such as leading firms Mamas and Papas, Britvic (Pennine Spring Water), Longley Farm and Coopers Coffee. Andrew Jones Pies, clothing shop Bon Marche, Fox’s Biscuits and Dixon’s Ice-cream based at Lockwood are all successful local businesses that you can back. Don’t forget they are major employees of local people.

What can you do? If you are a business or a reader with money-saving tips contact us on editorial@examiner.co.uk or call 01484 437 762 to pass your advice to our readers.