THE mayors of three towns have added their support to the County Gazette's jute bags campaign.

We're asking readers to pledge to reduce the amount of plastic bags they use.

Everyone who makes the pledge will be entered into a free draw to win a limited edition jute bag.

Taunton Deane Mayor Tim Slattery said: "The unsightly mess caused by discarded bags around the Deane is bad enough, but add to this the suffering they cause to wildlife and the fact that oil is used to produce plastic bags, then I think everyone should make a concerted effort to use shopping bags made from other materials.

"If manufacturers and importers of plastics, bags or otherwise, were made responsible for the recycling of an equivalent volume of plastics, we would see immediate changes.

"At the same time it would relieve local councils of some of the burden of dealing with plastics in household waste. This will be reflected in council tax charges. This will benefit householders.

"The environment will win twice over. Less plastic used protects the environment. Recycling uses energy, and isn't completely waste free, so the less we need to do this, the better for the environment."

Wellington Mayor Peter Critchard said: "I think it's a big step forward. It's a wonderful idea and we would definitely support it."

Minehead Mayor Simon Stokes added: "I'm very much in favour of this initiative. As a family we carry jute bags in the back of the car for use when we go shopping.

"Minehead has got good environmental and ethical credentials - we were one of the first towns in the area to be a Fair Trade Town.

"We're also aware that West Somerset doesn't have a landfill site so we need to address waste issues. We're totally behind the County Gazette in this campaign."

Click on the link below to make YOUR pledge.