A regional daily and its sister website have declared “war against plastics” in new campaigns.

Both Cornwall Live and the Plymouth Herald are encouraging readers to cut down on plastic waste, as well as businesses across their respective patches.

The Trinity Mirror newsbrands are also calling on councils to improve recycling rates, while they will promote events aimed at cleaning up coastlines in Devon and Cornwall.

The Cornwall Live campaign is being run in partnership with pressure group Surfers Against Sewage.

Cornwall Live Editor Jacqui Merrington said: “The rising tide of plastic is something we see every day in Cornwall and it’s a huge threat to our coastlines and our marine ecosystems.

“As momentum gathers behind the campaign to rid the country of single-use plastics, Cornwall is leading the way both in reducing plastic waste and in the clean-up operation.

“This is our chance to have a huge impact on the environment and rid Cornwall of unnecessary single-use plastics for good and we want to provide the leadership and the tools to help make that happen.

“Plastic Free Cornwall is about encouraging every single person to cut down on plastic waste, our shops and businesses to cut down on plastic packaging, our council to encourage better recycling rates and all of us helping to clean up the mess that’s left to make Cornwall and the country a better, cleaner place to live.”