BUSINESSES in Ambleside are to be asked to display signs offering to refill plastic water bottles free of charge, to cut down on environmentally harmful plastic waste.

Lakes Parish Council members agreed to the printing and distribution of A5 laminated signs to display in shops, restaurants and other businesses offering free water refills.

It follows a suggestion made by Gordon Emery, who carries out unpaid drystone walling as a volunteer for the parish council. He attended the August meeting and showed councillors the amount of plastic he typically collects while litter picking a small area.