CREDITON has become the largest town in the South-West to pledge that it will get rid of plastic carrier bags.

In a celebration in the town square on Saturday, Mayor Frank Letch signed a special charter, the town band played, a giant cake was cut and 1,000 free reusable bags were given away.

Cllr Letch, who has no arms, used one of his feet to sign the charter. The document, designed by local students, will now be displayed in the Town Hall.

It declares that plastic carrier bags ‘do significant damage to the environment and its inhabitants’, and adds ‘we hereby resolve to continue to reduce our usage until Crediton is totally plastic bag-free’.

Among those watching the event at the town’s farmers’ market was Rebecca Hosking, who launched the crusade against plastic carrier bags in the Devon town of Modbury in 2007.

Since the Modbury campaign the issue has attracted national debate and hundreds of communities have taken up the cause.

Rebecca Hosking called the Crediton campaign “fantastic”.

She said: “I know how much hard work is involved in this and I wanted to give my support.”

Cllr Letch also praised Crediton Climate Action, the environmental group that has organised the campaign in conjunction with the local Chamber of Commerce.

The Crediton Bags, made of jute, were eagerly snapped up by shoppers, and Chamber of Commerce chairman Chris Nicholl said they are likely to become collectors’ items.

Crediton Climate Action co-ordinator Paula Mossman said 90% of the town’s shops are now supporting the campaign and the group will keep up the pressure.

The Government is planning legislation to force stores to charge for plastic bags, and Mrs Mossman said supermarkets would have to act.