BE fantastic - ditch the plastic is the cry from an Anglesey town aiming to be plastic free.

Residents and businesses in Beaumaris are making efforts to save their town and island from plastic pollution.

The accumulation of waste plastic such as fizzy drink bottles can adversely affect the environment and wildlife.

Now, an environmental group Beaumaris Di-blastig - Plastic free Beamaris is hoping to encourage people to reduce single-use plastic waste. Already, many local businesses have taken up the challenge. Some cafes in the town already supply drink refill facilities and plastic alternatives.

Neptune chip shop, owner Matthew Hogan, has started to phase out plastic chip trays in favour of ones made from sugar-cane, wooden knives and forks, and non-plastic sauce pots.

“There are some amazing alternative products out there, though they can be expensive for small businesses, but it is important that we all get onboard to reduce plastic use," he said.

"We are gradually phasing out our old plastic stock for non-plastic alternatives. Businesses and people in Beaumaris are taking the plastic issue seriously, but there's more to be done.

"There is still a litter issue, there needs to be more bins with recycling options for the public, as general waste, where a lot of our packaging ends up, is not recycled."

Gwen Evans Jones, a former mayor of Beaumaris, is the chairman of the Beaumaris Di-blastig - Plastic-free group, which meets once a month at the the town's Canolfan (Beaumaris Leisure Centre). The group also has a presence on Facebook.

Gwen said: "We set up the group about nine months ago with the idea to encourage Beaumaris to be plastic free, to campaign and to come up with ideas. We are doing it to help people understand the problem but also to make the future brighter for generations to come.

"We are only a small town, on a little island, but every little bit we do will help to improve the situation and we are aiming to work towards plastic free status.

The group is organising a competition, in conjunction with Arloesi Mon/Menter Mon, Anglesey County Council and volunteers, to get five businesses in Beaumaris to commit to being completely plastic free.

"Gwen said: "We will follow the journey these businesses take." To take part see: Beaumaris Di-blastig-Plasticfree and Friends of Beaumaris on Facebook.