CALLS for Monmouthshire to become a plastic bag free zone won cross party support at a meeting of county councillors last week.

Abergavenny councillor Rob Griffiths urged members to support his plea and follow in the steps of other countries such as France and Italy that have banned plastic bags.

"Each person uses over 290 to 300 plastic bags a year in the UK," said Cllr Griffiths.

"Around 17 billion are given away by supermarkets and only one out of every 200 is recycled."

"Reports show they take up to 100 years to degrade, even if they are bio-degradable they still take a considerable time.

"The effect on the environment is on hedgerows and marine life. The bags are a hazard for sea turtles. Birds, seals and other animals could swollow them," he said.

Cllr Griffiths said countries such as Bangladesh, France, Pakistan, Italy and Austria have banned plastic bags and Monmouthshire should follow suit.

"Chepstow is working with Monmouthshire Community Recycling towards a plastic-bag free town. Let's contact the supermarkets that use them and work together," he urged.

Cllr Griffiths said he has already contacted the major supermarkets in the county and is awaiting a response.

"If this authority were to make a stand and promote this it is not just about us but about our children and grandchildren's future."

"Inevitably there are negatives in using alternatives such as paper bags but whatever we substitute plastic with it will be bio-degradable."

"In Taiwan they have banned plastic bags and issue a £125 penalty. It is working as there has been a 25 percent reduction in landfill waste," he added.

Chepstow Cllr, Armand Watts, backed the call and told members that China has already begun its bid to ban plastic bags.

"There are millions of people in China compared to the UK. There is the capacity for this council to see this through," he said.

Cllr Liz Hacket-Pain said that the scheme should be expanded to schools.

The council agreed to work with area managers and to contact smaller retailers in working towards an alternative to plastic bags.