Dorchester youngsters are calling on the rest of the town to become plastic free.

Damers First School pupils have virtually eliminated the use of non-recyclable plastic and now want everyone else to join their campaign.

If the town council signs up to the idea and seeks ways of reducing plastic use Dorchester could become the 335rd in the country to take the journey.

Teacher Ed Moore told town councillors on Wednesday evening that the authority could make a real difference in leading by example.

He said simple measures could include banning the use of plastic drinking straws on its premises, reducing or doing away with non-reusable plastic cups and looking at packaging and other areas of council activity.

Mr Moore said that the school had signed up 23 businesses to the initiative on Poundbury alone. This compared to just ten across the whole of Weymouth and 13 in Dorchester.

He said the success of the pupils campaign had been a great credit to their enthusiasm and care for the environment – and had also led them to appearances on BBC Newsround, BBC Radio Solent and in regional and local media to spread their message.

He said the local MP, Sir Oliver Letwin, had been positive about the idea of the whole town becoming plastic free and the Business Improvement District (BID) and Litter Free Dorset had offered support.

Cllr Molly Rennie said that she would support the idea and had already had some talks about ideas which could be tried, but said the council would need help to draw up a plan of action, should it formally decide to get onboard.

Cllr Stella Jones described the pupil’s efforts as “a wonderful initiative” and asked other councillors to support investigations into how the objectives of becoming ‘plastic free’ could be achieved.

Cllr Robin Potter suggested that the Dorchester churches ecology group might be able to offer support.

The idea is now expected to be discussed at the council’s next management committee on September 11.