Towns hold plastic bag amnesty

Two towns in Wiltshire are "officially banning" plastic bags for one day.

Melksham and Chippenham are holding an amnesty and are urging shoppers to swap their carriers for a free Bag for Life.

The event is supported by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust which wants to raise awareness of the impact that plastic bags have on the environment.

People in Chippenham have been "guerrilla bagging" - meaning they have made their own recycled bags out of scraps of old materials.

Sarah Cundy, of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: "It's about getting people to think about the single use of plastic bags and the short lifespan they have.

"They have an impact on litter so by taking a Bag for Life it re-enforces positive environmental behaviour."

The event is happening on 20 September.