A HOSPITAL shop has pledged to tackle plastic pollution by setting up water refill points.

It would allow anyone to fill their water bottles for free in The Friendly Coffee Shops at Airedale Hospital.

The idea came from the trust’s EcoAware group who wanted to follow the example of the national Refill campaign.

Refill is a national tap water project which aims to encourage people to buy one reusable water bottle and refill it with tap water, instead of buying bottled water.

The campaign aims to get cafes and shops to display signs to say they are happy for people to come in and ask to refill their water bottle.

Helen Roberts, patient information officer at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: “We wanted to take that campaign and see what we could do with it in the hospital.

"We already have notices in our staff kitchen areas to remind staff that they can access free water and lots of staff already do it and bring their own water bottles to work.

"That was the first stage and now with the support of Friends of Airedale we can offer that for visitors and the public.”

The shop also sells refillable coffee cups and anyone buying a cup will receive their first drink for free.