THE drive to rid Wimborne of unnecessary plastic bags has seen 500 printed long-life cotton bags being snapped up.

The campaign group is now printing another set, which should be available in the next few weeks.

Traders have been asked to help, by asking their customers if they really do need a bag.

Wimborne resident Boo Feltham was inspired to set up the group Reduce The Use with other residents after hearing that another town - Modbury, in Devon - had gone plastic bag-free with great success.

Mrs Feltham said the Christmas season was the busiest time of year for present buying, and she was pleased at the support their campaign had already been given.

"We have had lots of support from the general public.

"When we did our free bags in the town and asked for donations for the campaign we had over 300 people making donations."

District councillor Pat Hymers, who brought the subject to the attention of the town council, said the second phase of cotton bags would be a different colour.

"We are doing a survey of traders to try and find out what they would like us to do to help them," she said.

She added that ideas included possibly having shop logos on the life-long bags.

The group is also planning to repeat the screening of the BBC film Message in the Waves, telling a story about the impact of discarded refuse such as plastic bags in Hawaii, which was screened at their campaign's launch in November.

There is also a pledge for people to sign up to, saying they will reuse bags when shopping.

Wimborne mayor Cllr Anthony Oliver said: "The manager of WHSmith now knows not to offer me a bag because I keep saying no I mustn't have one.

"Anything that can be done to help the environment is a jolly good thing."

Cllr Oliver said fewer plastic bags being given out could also cut the amount of discarded litter around the town.