A NEW plastic-free shop is opening in Taunton.

My Carbon Coach will open in Bridge Street - in the former Company Space coffee shop premises - offering shoppers an environmentally-friendly place to purchase a range of items, from candles to earrings.

The shop is the brainchild of Tim Walker, known to many in the county town as the man behind the Tidy Up Taunton litter picks.

Tim decided to take up the role of shop owner after a career change - in a green direction.

"I’d just finished studying my degree in Environmental Science with the OU (Open University) when the opportunity to open up a retail space suddenly appeared," he said.

"Strangely enough, I had walked away from a career in corporate retail management a few years earlier to follow my passion and study to attempt to make the world a better place.

"It’s funny how these things circle around."

After the success of the litter picks, Tim thought the shop was the perfect opportunity to give his environmental endeavours a 'base' in Taunton.

"With the shop opening, this will provide a base for this wombling activity," he said.

"Anyone can stop by and borrow a litter grabber and get some free refuse sacks and head off to pick up some rubbish.

"It’s all about reducing the barrier to taking part.

"The ultimate goal is to have Taunton declared a plastic- and litter-free town."

Anyone wanting to find out more about My Carbon Coach, and the Tidy Up Taunton litter picks, can visit the store, or log on to the Tidy Up Taunton Facebook page, which details when and where the next litter pick will be taking place.