Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page - written for young people by young people.

This week Kate Rainford asks what can be done to support our high streets.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see many uninhabited shops boarded up when walking around the busy towns of Dorset.

The number of 'closing down' notices seem to have increased, but why is this and what seems to be taking their place?

Bigger brands including the likes of Marks and Spencer's and WHSmith are battling their online rivals such as Amazon or ASOS, while smaller, independent retailers are being faced with a increase in overall costs, and struggling to pay the monthly rent.

Living in the predominantly rural county of Dorset, people are able to easily access large stores like those living in urban cities - hence the rise of online shopping and 'click and collect'.

Whilst this seems the most beneficial option and makes our already hectic lives a little less stressful, local grocery stores struggle to find stability in their sales.

Business rates are also rising, adding to the overall burden

So, is there anything we can do to help?

While I understand that getting to and from the high street can be a struggle for some, and parking is both difficult and expensive, it is important that we try to support the local independent stores.

These are the ones most at risk of closing down, and will not have the luxury or brand following to fall back on online sales.

But it is also important that we try to support charity shops taking the place of the empty shops. Many may argue that they "litter" our high streets but in days of ever increasing debt they provide much needed services to the less well off, not to mention their hugely beneficial impact to worthwhile charities.

By Kate Rainford