ABERPORTH is celebrating after becoming the first plastic-free community in Wales.

The village took up the plastic-free campaign just three months ago and attracted worldwide media interest as locals vowed to reduce their single-use plastic.

The plastic-free accolade was announced by Surfers Against Sewage live on BBC’s The One Show last Wednesday evening.

Local business owners Richard and Nicola Jennings plus takeaway café owner Gethin James were filmed as they travelled to Penzance to pick up tips from the Cornish town’s plastic-free campaign.

Aberporth achieved the award by getting local businesses to give up three single-use plastic items plus get the backing of the local council.

The campaign was wholeheartedly embraced by the community with activities ranging from locals carrying out litter picks to the village shop stocking milk in glass bottles and bamboo toothbrushes plus the local pub ditching plastic condiment sachets and straws.

The award has sparked interest in many other local communities including Newcastle Emlyn, Cardigan, New Quay, Fishguard and Lampeter.

The village’s achievement has also been praised by local MP Ben Lake and AMs Elin Jones and Simon Thomas.

MP Ben Lake and Ceredigion County Council leader Cllr Elin ap Gwynn met with campaigners at the weekend and vowed that Ceredigion would aim to be the first plastic free county in the UK.

Plastic-free Aberporth steering group founder Gail Tudor said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved this award for Aberporth in such a short time thanks to the local people and businesses that have got involved.

“But we know this is just a start and our campaign against single-use plastics will continue as we look to include more businesses and continue with our regular beach cleans and hope to be able to spread the single-use plastic free message to our summer visitors too.

“Visit our Facebook page @plasticfreeaberporth for more information about upcoming events or look for a group where you live or start up your own campaign by contacting Surfers Against Sewage”