We have begun negotiations with the multiples in the town about giving up the supply of plastic carrier bags when we launch as a plastic carrier free town in the autumn. They all have national guidelines that they follow but Somerfield and Tesco Express are looking sympathetically at Crediton an exception which is good.It is too soon to know what the outcome will be.

However we need your help with Boots who at the moment do not want to deviate from their policy of asking people if they want a bag. Please can you ring Vanessa Brazener in their Nottingham customer care dept on 0845 0708090, and tell her you live in the area, are a Boots customer ( well you could go in and buy a packet of cough sweets if you don't normally shop there!) and would like to see them join our 'plastic carrier free' initiative in October. Please insist on speaking to Vanessa as she is sympathetic to our views and has to log and report all calls. Alternatively/additonally you can write to her: c/o Boots Central Customer Care Team, PO Box 5300, Nottingham NG90 1AA.

Imagine what an impact over 200 calls and letters would make (the number of people receiving this email). I guarantee Boots will never have experienced anything like it before and it could well persuade them to make Crediton a test case.

Remember it is easy NOT to do this, but the few minutes it will take you could make a massive difference. We urge you to help.

Thank you.

Paula Mossman