Eco campaigners are urging families to swap single-use plastic for metal cutlery and glasses ahead of a plastic free picnic in Bingley.

Plastic Free Bingley joined forces with Sorraya Hussain-Ilahi, owner of Re-Fill Shipley, for the family picnic in Myrtle Park from 2pm on Sunday, July 21.

It's part of a worldwide effort to celebrate Plastic Free July and a shared vision to "bring families together".

Sorraya, who opened her eco-friendly shop last Summer, said: "It is nice bringing two communities together.

"It’s about bringing people together and showing you can have a day out without leaving a load of plastic waste behind.

"A lot of families will be going out.

"When they do have days out they don’t have to take a lot of plastic.

"It’s trying to get people to think about that if you do go out."

The shop owner, who launched a refill scheme to tackle everyday waste, hopes the event will inspire residents to "take ownership" of the throw-away plastics they do use.

She said: "They don’t have to go far.

"The idea is avoiding single use, throw away plastic. If you want to bring some food, just don’t get it from the supermarket.

"The idea is that you go to local shops and the market and you bake stuff at home.

"They're not just going out and buying stuff.

"What we’re trying to do is shop locally and you're also making use of what's on your door step."

The organisers will also be bringing children's games and activities to the family-focused day.

The picnic is the next step for Plastic Free Bingley with school children and local councillors invited to join.

Jane Stone, one of the founders behind Plastic Free Bingley, said: "The idea is we want the whole community of Bingley all to come together.

"In the long run it’s hopefully going to make them think about what they take on picnics."

Around 320,000,000 Tonnes of plastic was generated across the globe in 2016, according to Surfers Against Sewage.

Research shows this is set to double by 2034.

Councillor Vick Jenkins (Lab, Shipley) described the event as a "great initiative".

She told the Telegraph and Argus: "I love the idea of the plastic free picnic.

"I think we have as a society made a move in the wrong direction as picnics have become a plastic fest bought from the supermarkets and a lot of it gets left behind in parks.

"This picnic is a fun way to share ideas, promote their groups and organise to campaign for less plastic."

Plastic Free Bingley has been actively trying to tackle the issue by encouraging schools and shops to change the way they think.

Meanwhile one nearby village is planning to start up its eco journey with Plastic Free Riddlesden.

The group is hosting its first meeting at Applegarth Gentlemens Club 7pm on Thursday, August 1.

Founder Jill Burghardt has invited people to share their own ideas and listen to other concerned residents.

There's 570 plastic-free communities and counting across the country, according to Surfers Against Sewage.

Other Yorkshire-based groups include Plastic Free Silsden, Plastic Free Keighley and Plastic Free Oakworth.