GLASGOW-born TV presenter Lorraine Kelly chatted to shoppers and some of her youngest fans as she backed a campaign to encourage the public to shop locally.

Lorraine, who models for high street brand JD Williams, said it was “heartbreaking” to see rows of empty shops on once-thriving retail districts such as Sauchiehall Street, where she shopped as a young girl.

Lorraine, 58, who was born in the Gorbals area, said: “We lived in Bridgeton and we used to get the number 18 bus and into Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street as well and that’s where you did all your shopping.

“It was brilliant. It’s so, so sad and we do need to do something about it whether it’s getting the rates down or trying to encourage pop-up businesses as well. Otherwise it’s just going to be really dull.

“What you don’t want to happen is that high streets are just coffee shops and charity shops.

“I’d like to see us reverse the trend of these great big retail parks, where you could be anywhere.

“If you go to your local butcher or fishmonger, the choice is incredible and I think people are under the misapprehension that it’s cheaper to go to the supermarket. If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

Lorraine, whose parents still live in East Kilbride, was at Silverburn shopping centre to promote a new, free app by Yell, listing local businesses but took time out to chat to chat to shoppers.

She said: “I think some people think that they know me, which is lovely. They were saying to me,’ Oh, it’s your daughter’s birthday today and she’s 24 and I remember when she was born, you took her into the studio and I am thinking how do you know that.?

"But it’s lovely. People are so nice, especially in Glasgow.”