11:46am Wednesday 14th November 2007
A campaign to rid Helston of plastic bags is being officially launched next week.
Members of the Lizard Peninsula Friends of the Earth want to work with local traders in a bid to make Helston the first plastic bag free town in Cornwall.
The campaigners have been working with local textile artist Sharon Verry, who has made a strong cotton bag bearing a logo inspired by students from Helston Community College.
The bag is just one of a variety of ideas that may be adopted as a symbol of the town's ambition to go "plastic free".
Diana Wilson, from the Friends, said: "Plastic bags have a devastating impact on marine and terrestrial wildlife and can take up to 1,000 years to break down in the environment. They litter our streets and countryside and are an unsightly reminder of our casual acceptance of their convenience."
The campaign is being launched at the Wesley Hall in Coinagehall Street next Tuesday.
There will be displays and speakers and also a showing of part of a film made by environmental campaigner Rebecca Hosking, who led the drive to make Modbury, Devon, the first plastic bag free town in Europe.
The Helston campaign is being supported by bodies including the Helston Business Forum, Lizard Peninsula Friends of the Earth, the Sustainable Trust, Helston Organic Gardeners and Growers, Helston town warden, Kerrier district council, the National Trust and the Cornwall Seal Group.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk