THE owner of a North-East online business support service has been chosen to represent the region at Downing Street.

Nicola Burt-Skinner, of Darlington-based NBS Admin Assist, has been invited by Chancellor George Osborne to visit 11 Downing Street today (Friday, December 6) to celebrate Small Business Saturday (SBS).

SBS is a US-inspired event taking place on Saturday, December 7, which aims to increase public support for local independent firms.

Mrs Burt-Skinner, who set up her company that helps small businesses with social media and administration in 2010, was invited after being chosen as one of 100 small firms from across the internet.

She said: “Being profiled as one of 100 small firms was amazing, but to receive this invitation has been phenomenal.

“Small businesses should be recognised for their contribution to the economy, so it's great that the Government is backing SBS.