NEWS that national pub chain will stop using plastic straws across its 900 pubs have met with mixed reviews.

Wetherspoon's bar staff will no longer automatically put a plastic straw in your drink, although they will remain available for customers if requested, as part of its effort to become greener.

From January 2018, all of the company’s pubs will use biodegradable paper straws.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “These changes are part of an overall commitment from the company to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste produced.

“We believe that Wetherspoon pub-goers will welcome this.”

Pub-goers at The Postal Order, on Darwen Street, Blackburn gave us their views on the news that plastic straws would be banned at the end of the year.

Sale assistant Danielle Turner, 21, Audley, said: “I don’t see the need to get rid of the plastic straws. It’s just a plastic straw at the end of the day.

“I would not want them to get cardboard ones or anything like that because they get really soggy really easily.”

Hayden McAllister, 24, Audley said: “It’s not something I have thought about as a big issue before.

“If they are banned for environmental reasons then I guess it’s a good thing.”

Elaine McTavish, 60, Audley, said: “I used to drink WKD with a plastic straw but I found out from coming in here that it gets you drunk quicker.

“The last time I came in here 'I thought I’m not going to have a plastic straw' and I have been fine since.

“I’m glad Wetherspoon are getting rid of them.”

Sam Hoy, 31, Shadsworth, said: “I usually bring my own straws out because I do not know who has touched them.

“I use a plastic straw quite a lot but only for certain drinks at Wetherspoon.

“When I bring my kids they all use plastic straws with their drinks.

“I think it’s stupid to get rid of plastic straws to be fair as a bit of plastic does not cost a lot of money.”

Leanne Roberts, 36, Livesey, said: “I do use plastic straws sometimes because I don’t like to get drunk out of a bottle. I’ve also found in some places that the glasses are not always clean so I decide to use plastic straws instead.”