The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society, is urging residents to take on the Plastic Challenge this July and say goodbye to single-use plastic.

A charity spokesperson said: "We know it’s impossible to avoid single-use items completely, but even if you only last for a day, a week or even the whole month - with our help we think you’ll be able to make some lasting changes!"

The challenge forms just a small part of the Marine Conservation Charity’s wider pledge to help limit plastic use, and litter in the ocean. To day, the charity warn that over 4,038,500 tonnes of plastic have been dumped in the sea so far.

They say that of the more than eight million tonnes of it that get dumped in our oceans every year, half of it comes from disposable plastics that are only used once before being thrown away.

For more information about taking part in the Plastic Challenge, visit https://www.mcsuk.org/campaigns/plastic-challenge-home

Get in touch with the Ross Gazette about how you are limiting your plastic use, or if you are taking on the Plastic Challenge this July.