Norwich's market traders and small businesses are being given the chance to receive free digital skills training from Google to grow their business.

The Digital Garage session will be tailored to helping the owners reach new customers beyond their local area.

It includes building a digital marketing plan, making your stall more visible online, and social media strategy.

Google will also bring its street view cameras to Norwich Market on Friday, allowing local market traders to benefit from the online presence to attract more customers.

There will also be coaching and workshops for individual, including taking your first steps online and building a digital CV.

The push to improve digital skills among small businesses and market traders has been identified in multiple studies.

A survey by Innovate UK found that improving digital skills was a top priority to UK high street businesses, cited by 42% of respondents, along with digital marketing (36%).

In its Digital High Street 2020 report, the Future High Streets Forum identified eliminating the digital skills gap as one of the four key achievements required to revitalise high streets.

The Great British Market Revival study carried out by Google showed there were new opportunities for traders in the East of England to grow their reach and attract new customers with the help of digital tactics.

More than half (51%) of Brits visit markets less today than they did five years ago, with a lack of digital presence cited as one of the reasons they don't visit markets more often. Nearly one in five (18%) of people in the East of England visit markets at least weekly, with the average spend £22.61.

Ronan Harris, managing director of Google UK, said: 'We want to give market traders in Norwich the digital skills they need to make the most of new technologies to level the playing field against their competition, reach new customers beyond their local area and grow, ensuring their markets remain at the heart of the local community.'

• The course takes place at Open on Bank Plain in Norwich between 10am and 4pm on Friday, June 22. Book at http://g.co/MarketsTourUK or drop in on the day.