LEISURE World has phased out more than 50,000 plastic products as part of action to minimise single use plastic.

The Colchester Council run facility in Cowdray Avenue has taken the action after the authority declared a climate emergency last year.

The council has committed to see the borough to be net carbon zero by 2030 and to plant 200,000 trees.

It is also getting council buildings and services to continue to reduce single-use plastic where possible.

Leisure World has phased out 13,000 non-recyclable straws a year and 37,000 plastic products from coffee and food sales.

It has also got rid off 1,500 milk cartons, and only serves plastic water in bottles which are made from 100 per cent recycled material.

As of March, it will also introduce Vegware Slush Puppies cups, replacing 10,000 plastic cups.

Colchester Museums have begun to use a sustainable paper-based eco-friendly alternative for exhibitions.

Staff also encourage visitors to recycle their Castle maps when they leave the museum.   

Other council buildings, including the Town Hall, have transferred from plastic to paper cups and changed coffee machines so staff and visitors can use their own mugs.

The North Essex Parking Partnership is also now using biodegradable pockets for penalty charge notices.

David King, the council's business and resources boss, said: “Plastics pollute and litter our streets and countryside and poison marine and animal life.

“I am proud the council is setting an example and significantly reducing its reliance on single-use plastic.

"That's a great step in the right direction, but we all have much more to do.

"I call on residents and businesses to act now, wherever they can, and stop using avoidable plastics.”