THE campaign to introduce Dawlish's own reusable bag is gathering momentum and hopes are high that they will be available in the town's shops by the summer.

Teignbridge Council's recycling officer Ben Bryant updated traders on progress and said £1,000 had already been pledged towards the project. Residents have already voted for two designs to be printed on the cotton bags, one a picture of the town's emblem the black swan and a slogan which says 'Dawlish is fantastic...don't litter it with plastic'.

The winning designs were created by eight-year-old Ebby Walsh, of Cockwood Primary School, and Shannon Melmoth, 14, a student at Dawlish Community College.

Speaking at the chamber of trade's latest meeting held at the Brunswick Arms, Mr Bryant explained that there were several styles of bag which cost 80p for the most basic, up to £1.35 each although the cost would be reduced if greater numbers were printed.

Initially, 2,500 will be made for distribution throughout the town's shops.

The completed bags are expected to be ready and on sale by the end of July or beginning of August.

Mr Bryant told the meeting: 'It is important that this bag is something special and a must have item.

'Dawlish is particularly important for the reduction of plastic bags with its proximity to the marine environment.

'Any plastic waste here can end up in the sea.

'This is a partnership between lots of different organisations in Dawlish and is a great success.'

Dawlish Fairtrade movement has already pledged money towards the production of the bags but the total cost is £2,500.

Once produced, each shop will be given a token amount to distribute with the potential for individual traders to order more to sell or give away to customers.