SWANMORE has followed Alresford's lead in trying to eradicate plastic bags from the village.

The parish council and Winchester City Council representative, Cllr Frank Pearson, who is also the authority's cabinet member for the environment, are trying to encourage businesses to sell the newly-created jute bags.

The handy shopping bags sport the logo Swanmore Goes Green' and cost £4 each.

They were launched at the Swanmore fete last month and are selling steadily according to Cllr Pearson, although he said he would like to see more businesses selling the bags to customers instead of providing plastic bags.

Cllr Pearson said: "We are selling the Swanmore Goes Green' bags in the village in order to attempt to get plastic bags out of the village, but with three thousand people in the village it is an uphill climb.

"As the executive member for Winchester City Council dealing with climate change, I was delighted to support the initiative.

"The money for the bags came from the Local Network Fund and they are being sold steadily. I was delighted when Alresford came up with the idea."

Bags can be bought from the parish council chairman, Michael West, through the parish office on 01489 890651 or from Cllr Pearson at his surgeries, held every third Saturday at the Paterson Centre, next to St Barnabas Church, or email him at fpearson@winchester.gov.uk