A HEXHAM delicatessen has thrown its weight behind the Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s anti-plastic campaigning.

The Deli at Number 4, located on Beaumont Street is donating 10p to the wildlife charity, collected from carrier bag sales, following the change in Government policy on single-use carrier bags, which has been extended to all businesses in England.

Popular with local residents and visitors, the deli has already donated over £50 to the Trust, which has more than 60 reserves across the region.

The reserves include Briarwood Banks 5km south-east of Bardon Mill, Close House near Wylam, Juliet’s Wood 1km north of Slaley, Grindon Lough 5km north of Haydon Bridge and the Beltingham River Granules reserve to the south of Bardon Mill.

Well known throughout the area as the go-to spot for all things tasty, the deli, prides itself on selling local produce much to the delight of the Trust, which encourages people to shop local in a bid to reduce pollution, carbon footprints and plastic packaging – all of which result in waste getting into the seas and harming precious wildlife.

Katy Barke, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s West Northumberland manager said: “Plastic is choking our seas and natural world and poses a massive threat to wildlife because it simply doesn’t just disappear. I’m delighted that if shoppers arrive at Deli Number 4 without their own shopping bags, they can buy a carrier bag in exchange for a 10p donation.”