A HOLIDAY park in the Lake District has called time on plastic waste. 

Park Cliffe in Windermere has announced a crackdown on plastic items which are designed for single use, including straws, bags and coffee cups.

"Thanks to programmes such as the BBC's Blue Planet series, I think we're all much more aware of the threats posed by plastic, and not least to wildlife," Susan Dickson, co-owner of the park, said.

"Footage of turtles and other marine animals trapped in plastic bags has made a big impact on many people, and we all know that a solution must be found."

From now on, guests will be asked to join the family-run park in helping to tackle the mountains of plastic waste.

According to Ms Dickson, people staying at the park won't need to make any sacrifices in order to contribute to the clean-up bid.

Old fashioned paper drinking straws are being drafted in, and items once sold in plastic bags will be handed over in a biodegradable paper bags.

Park Cliffe's cafe has swapped sauce sachets in favour of condiments in glass bottles, and takeaway drinks will now come in compostable cups.

A 25p discount will also be offered to customers who bring their own reusable cups.

The park also stops selling water in plastic bottles, and is installing a filtered water dispenser so that guests can fill their own bottles free of charge.

The park has also taken delivery of a plastics recycling station so that the waste can be disposed of without causing pollution.

Reaction from guests so far has been 'overwhelmingly positive', according to Ms Dickson.  

"Park Cliffe tends to attract those with a concern for the natural world, and they are very supportive of our steps to become more environmentally friendly," she said.

Waging war on plastics is not the park's only move to protect the natural world, and Park Cliffe's many awards include accolades for its care of the countryside.

Among them is the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, presented to the park for its raft of initiatives to safeguard wildlife in its grounds.

Earlier this year, the business also announced it was ditching diesel for many of the journeys made around the 25-acre park by parking up its Land Rover in favour of an electric vehicle.

Based on the shores of Windermere, the park provides luxury holiday homes to rent and buy, glamping pod accommodation, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

Visit www.parkcliffe.co.uk for more information.