A state-of-the-art bottle deposit machine will be on show on Cheltenham High Street on Friday.

Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk has joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society and young environmental campaigners from Cheltenham Schools for an all-day event.

The aim is to raise awareness of the impact of plastic pollution with the event showing local shoppers and businesses how easy the bottle deposit system is to operate.

Mr Chalk said. "UK consumers go through an estimated 13 billion plastic drinks bottles a year.

"More than three billion are simply thrown away. A bottle deposit return scheme to increase recycling rates has to be the way forward.

"A variety of "bottle-eating" deposit machines are already in service around the world. I recently hosted one in Parliament to show Ministers and MPs just how simple and effective they can be."

"So many young people from schools across Cheltenham have contacted me about plastic pollution.

"I wanted to grab this opportunity to bring this brilliant kit here to Cheltenham. It's easy to use and can be a major tool in reducing single use plastic and fighting back against the plastic plague.

"Single-use plastic items have a significant impact on our environment. They end up in landfill, or in rivers and ultimately the sea, where they will take up to 500 years to break down.''

The event will run from 9am to 6pm in the pedestrianised section of Cheltenham High Street outside of the front entrance to Marks and Spencer.