A campaign to ban single-use plastic from Porthleven will officially launch this Friday at the Christmas lights switch on.

In just a few weeks Refresh Porthleven, which has formed specifically to tackle the issue, has already gathered a large amount of support from businesses in the area.

Among them is Origin Coffee, which will be giving its support by allowing The Brewhouse on the Harbour Head to be used for the launch. Arc Live, which is behind the Masked Ball and the entertainment side of Porthleven Food Festival, has sponsored re-usable bamboo cups and anyone buying one on the night will have it filled for free with Origin's fresh coffee.

Surfer Dai Lawton, spokesman for Refresh Cornwall, said: "We’ve got re-usable bottles for sale too which make really cool presents. And we’ve got a list of five easy things people can do to cut back their own daily use.

"In the New Year we’ll be joining forces with lots of other groups along our coastline who are calling for a ban on single-use plastic. We can’t keep poisoning the sea. This is a movement happening round the world. And if everyone does their bit to help, we can stop this.”

He thanked all the Porthleven businesses and individuals who had already actively shown their support.

The aim is to prevent waste plastic from reaching the sea, where it disintegrates and harms marine life.