The Plastic Free Tenby group have announced that they are ready to complete their application to receive accreditation as a ‘Plastic-Free Town’.

To gain accreditation there needs to be support from the council, beach cleans undertaken and several businesses need to have changed to ‘Plastic Free’ alternatives.

To coincide with the news, Tenby is also set for its ‘Big Spring Beach Clean’ tomorrow (Saturday), with volunteers urged to attend the event, where all of the resort’s beaches will be covered.

Volunteers will be meeting at the South Beach car park and the Harbour car park at 11 am, and cleaning will carry on until 3 pm.

Speaking about the progress made, Clr. Laurence Blackhall said: “We are delighted to be in a position to achieve Plastic Free status, and are grateful that so many people and businesses in Tenby have embraced the initiative. But applying for accreditation is just the start and there is lots more to do.

“Tenby Town Council have supported the initiative, with Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism and Tenby in Bloom adding their support.

“Businesses across Tenby have made changes, with more to come. In addition to organised beach cleans, there are also several people who clean the beach every day,” he continued.

Meetings of Plastic Free Tenby take place on the first Wednesday of every month at Caffi Pura in Upper Frog Street.

The April meeting heard from Paul Cowper, who talked about previous local environmental campaigns. Future meetings will include talks and presentations.

The last thing to do before applying is to form a steering/campaign group. Nominations are now open for chair, secretary, treasurer and communications officer. If you wish to nominate someone or be nominated, forms will be available at the beach clean and are available on the ‘Plastic Free Tenby’ Facebook group.

Election of officers will take place at a meeting at Caffi Pura at 5 pm on Wednesday (April 18). Nominations can be sent to Laurence Blackhall, who is not a candidate for any of the posts. The meeting will also adopt a constitution for the group.

Encouraging people to come forward to take up posts and keep involved, Clr. Blackhall, who will be continuing as a member of the steering group, said: “Anyone can get involved and contribute, whether as a member of the steering group, as a business or as an individual. There is lots to do and we look forward to the next phase of the initiative.”

Speaking on the ‘Big Beach Clean’, Clr. Blackhall said: “People are welcome to drop in and drop out at any time - even if you have only 10 minutes to spare, you will be most welcome.”

Tenby’s volunteer Coastguards will also be joining in with their abseiling cliff clean this weekend.