Green town bags publicity (From Mid Devon Star)

Green town bags publicity

8:51am Wednesday 2nd May 2007 in News

A quiet South Devon town found itself at the centre of world attention yesterday over its decision to ban plastic carrier bags.

Shoppers and store owners were amazed yesterday when film crews and television presenters descended on Modbury and conducted interviews in the streets.

Sue Sturton, owner of Brownston Gallery, said nobody had anticipated the "huge" media presence.

The story attracted attention from ITV, BBC, CNN, Sky News and even a French film crew, who were all interviewing residents.

There were also reporters from most of the national papers, including the Guardian, the Times and the Daily Express.

Ms Sturton said: "We are a very small town so you couldn't miss the TV crews and reporters outside - it was quite amazing.

"I turned the television on this morning and I couldn't believe it when I saw my friend Rebecca Hosking, who came up with the whole idea, speaking live on the news.

"She was just down the road and it was so strange to see her and the town on TV first thing in the morning."

She added: "Although we are only a small town, we know we can't change the world but we are doing our bit and we hope that in doing so, other communities will take the plunge and make the effort to follow suit."

One shopper was amazed to see the bustle of film crew activity on the high street. She said: "I have never seen our little town at the centre of so much attention.

"Who'd have thought Modbury would get worldwide coverage?"

Butcher Les Howard said one film crew had been there at the crack of dawn.

"I was very surprised, and to think that our story will go all over the world.

"It was very strange watching ourselves on the BBC news.

"I just hope the message gets through - it's not really that hard to get rid of plastic bags when you all get together and make the effort."

The Devon story has been detected as far afield as Sweden and another international film crew is today expected to pounce on Modbury traders and shoppers.

The scheme was the brainchild of Modbury resident and wildlife photographer Rebecca Hosking.

After witnessing first hand the damage and devastation plastic bags caused to marine wildlife in Hawaii, she decided to present the plastic bag-free idea to the 43 Modbury businesses at a Chamber of Commerce meeting.

All signed up - and within weeks found environmentally-friendly and cost-effective alternatives. Corn starch bags are a stronger and reusable replacement for paper bags, and cotton reusable bags are printed with: "Modbury, South Devon - Britain's first plastic shopping bag-free town."

Shoppers are even being encouraged to bring in their spare plastic bags from home in a massive amnesty.

The discarded bags will be passed on to a modern artist and sculptor who reforms the plastic into contemporary and useable chairs, which are on sale in Brownston Gallery.