A CAMPAIGN to rid shops in Powys of excess packaging made its way to Tesco in Llandrindod Wells last week.

The Plastic Free Powys campaign is keen to encourage manufacturers to use less plastic in their packaging to help save the planet.

Before Christmas the campaign kicked off with a protest at Morrisons in Brecon.

On Thursday, the group bought £50-worth of products and then made a statement by unwrapping unnecessary packaging from the purchases at the till.

Green Party county councillor Emily Durrant and Plaid Cymru county councillor Elwyn Vaughan were among those who joined the protest.

Ms Durrant said the protests are not intended to upset store staff or other customers but are intended to make a point about how much waste is created by over-zealous packaging

by store suppliers. She said: “It is always such an honour to meet Powys residents that are willing to give up their time to campaign for a Plastic-Free Powys, so it was wonderful to see new faces and gain support from locals in Llandrindod Wells, despite the heavy rain and chilly wind.

“We spent a total of £50 which produced a shopping basket full of plastic packaging. It was good to see recycling containers near the entrance for plastic bags and containers, but unfortunately much of the packaging we removed from the produce was not recyclable.

“Tesco staff member Jayne Griffiths was extremely welcoming and very open to talking about how we can work together to combat excess plastic locally. Thanks to all the staff and supporters that were there on the day.”

The next protest is planned for Tesco, Newtown, on Saturday, February 10.