RAMSBOTTOM’S superstar fashion designer Henry Holland is backing a new anti-pollution campaign.

Henry, a former Bury Grammar School pupil, is using his star status to help tackle the environmental problems caused by plastic bottles.

In collaboration with BRITA and the #SwapForGood campaign, he has designed two limited edition T-shirts, made from salvaged cotton and recycled plastics, with profits going to the Marine Conservation Society.

The shirts feature his signature rhyming slogans, with one declaring “Single use plastic is never fantastic”.

The 34-year-old, who studied at Holy Cross College, said he thinks the fashion industry as a whole also has a part to play.

“I think it’s one of the highest industries in terms of pollution and damage to the environment, so it’s something that we need to address,” he said.

“With any industry, balancing sustainability with feasibility and commerciality is always the challenge. I think everybody has a responsibility, but it is important for our industry in particular.”

Henry, who began his working life as a waiter at Ramsbottom tea shop, Baileys, hopes his owns efforts will help reduce the 7.7 billion plastic bottles which end up in seas and landfill sites every year.

Although he now lives in London, Henry retains links with Ramsbottom, where his family still live. He makes a point of spending Christmas with them and, work commitments permitting, makes sure he travels back to Ramsbottom to celebrate family birthdays whenever he can.

He thinks his northern roots help keep him grounded in the sometimes superficial world of fashion.

“Where I come from is very important to me and it’s definitely something that translates into how I work,” he said.

“My sensibility and sense of humour is incorporated into my designs.”

He added: “The way we work is very northern too. There’s this approachability and friendly atmosphere.

“I’m very proud of where I come from.”

Henry is not the only fashion A-lister to come from the borough. He met supermodel-to-be Agyness Deyn as a young teenager when she was working in his local fish and chip shop.

The pair became great friends and ended up moving to London together, which was when their careers began to take off.

As well as being busy promoting the plastic bottle campaign, Henry is gearing himself up for the forthcoming London Fashion Week.

“I’m currently in a blind panic stage,” he said.

“It’s four weeks away and we’re very far behind, so I’ve cancelled summer!”

Henry’s T-shirts are available on the House of Holland website for £35. All profits will go to the Marine Conservation Society.