Helston has taken the next step towards becoming a 'plastic free community.'

Last week the town council agreed to support the Plastic Free Communities campaign and limit its use of single-use plastic, sourcing sustainable alternatives, as well as encourage plastic-free initiatives within Helston.

The council will now work with other groups in the town to progress the project further.

Helston Fire Station, Helston CIC, Lizard Peninsula Friends of the Earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Helston Community College and Helston WI have already shown interest in being involved, and all business and organisations will be encouraged to take part.

Mayor John Martin was chosen to represent the town council on a steering group involving all the other organisations. Anyone else interested in taking part can contact the town clerk's office at the Guildhall.

Councillor Mike Thomas said he supported the initiative and described single-use plastic as "a big concern," but questioned how Helston's businesses would be able to not use plastic at big events, such as Helstonbury, due to safety issues with broken glass.

He asked whether there was an alternative that could be suggested to business owners.

Deputy town clerk Pamela Lavelle said that a meeting could be arranged with interested parties, which Friends of the Earth had already agreed to attend and show alternatives to plastic.

She stressed the project was in the very early stages, adding: "It's not an instant process."

Councillor John Boase said there was already at least one pub in the town that already used biodegradable shot glasses, as they were too small to wash.

Members voted unanimously to support the scheme.