A new gift card has been launched in Cheltenham by the town's Business Improvement District (BID).

More than 60 businesses have already signed up to accept the card, with shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs all involved.

Kevan Blackadder, director of Cheltenham BID, said: "The card is available at whatever sum you want to spend from £10 up to £500. It can be used in one go or in several visits to different businesses over a number of months.

"We're expecting the cards to become a popular birthday present or a simple way to say thank you for a good turn.

"We're also hoping larger companies will use the Gift Card to honour long-service achievements or reward excellence. What better way for them to show their support for both Cheltenham and their staff?"

Sue Clingan, owner of the Ultimate Party Shop, said: "Being great believers in promoting the 'Shop Local' ideology and encouraging independent businesses and the town centre to thrive, we think this initiative will really succeed at doing both."

Mat Tilley, manager of Wild Beer, said: "Being one of the first businesses to offer a point-of-sale in the town gives us a great reason for more people to not only visit us, but to also cross-promote the local businesses in Cheltenham."

Stickers will be displayed in the windows of the businesses that accept the card. They include shops from independents like The Union Project to House of Fraser, restaurants like 131 and Turtle Bay.

Picture: From left, BID operations manager Belinda Hunt, Ultimate Party Shop manager James Ballentine and BID Director Kevan Blackadder.