THE organiser of the Message in a Bottle campaign to reduce the use of plastics in Llanidloes has declared last weekend’s launch event a big success.

Local resident Philip Stallard estimates that around 400 children and adults, including Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, attended the launch at Llanidloes Football Club on Saturday morning and word of the campaign has spread as far as the United States.

Pupils from Llanidloes and Trefeglwys primary schools, together with their families and teachers, assembled with campaign supporters to sing their own version of the famous Police chart-topper Message in a Bottle to a live band of local musicians, including nine-year-old drummer Jay.

Around 150 adults and children then blitzed the town with a litter-pick.

The day began with a group of around 17 people walking to the source of the Severn to begin the litter-pick.

In Llanidloes Community Centre, a variety of events and entertainment took place during the day and the Marine Conservation Society was there to provide information about its important work.

Llanidloes Primary School pupils each wrote their own message in a bottle about plastic pollution and the bottles were used to make a giant jellyfish, which was on display.

Philip said: “Llanidloes is virtually litter-free this week and I have been asked by local people to arrange a monthly litter-pick to keep the town that way, which I fully support.

“Everybody wants to know what’s next. The launch of Message in a Bottle is just the start and I now want to spread it downstream."

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