LEIGH could become the first plastic free town in Essex.

Leigh Town Council has committed to leading the way as it laid out its vision for the next four years for the town.

The council also wants to renovate the community centre, revamp the skate park and form a special art group to organise exhibitions around the town.

Campaigner and resident Amelia Slocombe suggested the idea of a plastic free Leigh.

A supporter of environmental charity Surfers against Sewage, she said: “It’s possible for Leigh to become the first town in Essex to be awarded plastic free community status.

“As a passionate, loyal and close-knit community which is already environmentally aware – I believe we could achieve this relatively quickly and easily.”

A motion has been passed by the council to encourage businesses and venues across the town to remove at least three single use plastics from their premises.

Leigh Town Council will be leading by example by removing single use plastics from its premises as soon as practicable and encouraging users at their facilities to do the same.

Carole Maloney, chairman of the community and culture committee at Southend Council, said: “Such campaigns are of great interest because of the growing concerns regarding the use of single use plastic in particular and because of the harmful effects and damage to nature.

“I am delighted that Leigh Town Council is supporting this project and I urge all of Leigh to get behind it to make Leigh plastic free.”

Other plans include investment in Leigh Port, restoration of the Belvedere viewing platform, rejuvenate Leigh library gardens, launch a Friends of Bonchurch Park campaign.

Also to organise excursions for those who rely on community transport and sponsor hanging baskets and Christmas decorations to improve the offering in the town and support litter picking campaigns and awareness throughout the town and find solutions to litter issue.

A new committee will help work on the plastic campaign in Leigh.