A TOWN in East Lancs is going green to help support a nationwide crisp packet recycling scheme.

Last week, Walkers crisps launched an initiative to help reduce the impact of packaging on the environment by encouraging crisp lovers to recycle their packets.

Working with recyclers, TerraCycle, the scheme will tap into recycling collection points around the UK, and the town of Clitheroe has become the first in the region to jump on board.

Fiona Orrell, owner of eco-friendly company Ocean Clear, which is based in Wellgate Court, will be opening her doors for people to come and do their bit for the environment.

Mrs Orrell said: "I'm really excited to be working with TerraCycle on this scheme and so far there's been a fantastic response from the community."

While Ocean Clear will be the main drop-off point for people wanting to recycle their crisp packets, Mellor Village Hall have also offered their services and will be encouraging people to bring their clean, empty packets there too.

Mrs Orrell continued: "We're only open a few days a week, so with Mellor Village Hall and other organisations wanting to help out, people will have a number of places they can go to recycle their crisp packets."

Every crisp packet that Mrs Orrell collects from the public and sends back to TerraCycle for recycling will earn points, which will then be transferred into money and given to the Lancashire Wildlife Trust's Marine Appeal.

And it's not just crisp packets she'll be collecting.

Mrs Orrell added: "We will also be collecting empty pet pouches, eg, cat food pouches, toothpaste tubes and plastic toothbrushes, health and beauty products such as empty foundation bottles, biscuit and cake wrappers, and baby food pouches, such as Ella's Kitchen.

"Let's stop putting things in the bin and send them to be recycled instead."

Empty crisp packets must be cleaned out before being taken to the collection point, and all brands of crisp packets will be accepted, not just Walkers.

Once collected, they'll be sent to TerraCycle who will shred them ready to be turned into other basic plastic items.

Ribble Valley Councillor Pamela Dowson said: "I think this is a brilliant idea as the more things we recycle, the better it is for the environment. We have to think about the future generations and protecting the environment for them.

"I fully encourage people to support this scheme and I myself will be putting all my crisp packets in containers and taking them down to the collection point in Clitheroe."

For more information on the scheme, visit terracycle.co.uk and for updates on where else in the Ribble Valley will be collecting crisp packets, visit the Ocean Clear Facebook page.