A GROUP of residents have set their sights on earning Ramsbottom the status of being Greater Manchester's first plastic-free town.

Launched last month, Plastic Free Ramsbottom is a group comprising residents, groups, and businesses, with the aim of reducing the town's plastic footprint.

The campaign was the brainchild of Ramsbottom councillor Kevin Thomas, and has received the backing of Fulfilled plastic-free shop, which opened in the town earlier this year.

The group held its first meeting in October, and hopes to receive the accreditation of being a plastic-free town from environmental group Surfers Against Sewage.

Several other towns across the country have already achieved the status, the first of which was Penzance in Cornwall.

As part of the mission, the group must hit five targets, including getting local businesses to avoid single-use plastics, holding at least two public events a year, and gaining the support of groups, such as schools, churches, and community groups.

A motion will also be introduced by Cllr Thomas at a full meeting of Bury Council in an attempt to get councillors to support the journey to plastic free status.

Jackie and Isabel Griffiths, of 'Litter Picking Ramsbottom' have offered their support to the campaign, and helped to organise a litter pick of the River Irwell in Nuttall Park on Saturday morning.

26 people took part in the clean up, and their haul included 20 bags of litter, a shopping trolley from the river bank, two children's scooters, and heaps of metal wire removed from the river.

A total of 57 plastic bottles, 23 glass bottles and 98 cans were collected.

Local waste recycling business 'Waste Sure' offered a helping hand to volunteers by providing two huge skips for the waste to be collected in before eventually being recycled.

Abbie Sellers, the owner of Fulfilled, said: "The whole event was a success and it just shows what can be done with some serious determination and teamwork.

"We all felt like we'd made a big difference, protected the wildlife in the Irwell and prevented many of these plastic items from reaching the sea."

Plastic Free Ramsbottom's next meeting will be held in December. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/plasticfreerammy.