There is growing support to protect the local environment by making the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Estuary plastic bag free.

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Chamber of Commerce are looking into having a First Edition Bag made for Kingsbridge and Salcombe, which they hope will become a collector's item.

Chairman Paul Dorey said: "We acknowledge that Kingsbridge and Salcombe face more issues than Modbury (the first plastic-bag-free town in Britain), but believe we can make a great start on reducing plastic bag usage this year and every bag saved is one less that might end up in the estuary."

The chamber of commerce, members of South Hams, Kingsbridge and Salcombe councils and Alwyn and Sally Millburn met on Wednesday 2 April in an attempt to push the initiative forward and to try and access funding.

The next steps are to source a First Edition Bag for Kingsbridge and Salcombe, try and attract funding and to work with the retail trade in Kingsbridge and Salcombe to reduce plastic bag usage.

In May 2007, Modbury became famous overnight when all 43 traders in the town turned to more environmentally sensitive ways of wrapping their customers' purchases.

The idea germinated when local wildlife camerawoman Rebecca Hosking saw at first hand the effect plastic waste has on the marine environment and wildlife.

It took Modbury just 10 weeks to go from inspiration to implementation.