THE harmful effects of plastic bags on the environment will be the hot topic of conversation in Corsham this summer.

A multi-pronged attack on plastic bags will be spearheaded by the Pound Arts Centre, which will be linking up with Corsham Town Council, local shops and Corsham School to encourage people to think seriously about recycling.

On May 3 from 11am until 3pm people are being invited to take their old carrier bags to the arts centre in Pound Pill for use in a workshop with textile artist Alison Harper.

She will teach people how to reuse their bags but will also be helping to create a piece of artwork highlighting the dangers plastic bags impose on wildlife, especially fish.

This piece of work will then be put in the window of health food shop Green Ginger in High Street.

Stuart Shotton, education and outreach co-ordinator at the Pound, said: "This is something we are running in conjunction with Corsham School and are calling a plastic bag amnesty.

"It will kickstart a larger project for Corsham Festival and the summer fete which will involve a procession of artwork all made from recyclable material. Anyone is welcome to drop in to the workshop on May 3 and it is free.

"This idea is something that is being supported by us, the town council, traders and the school. It's a multi-pronged attack if you like."

At the annual summer fete, the town council will be promoting the environment by giving away reusable bags in a bid to cut down on plastic waste.

The initiative will see several thousand of the bags handed over to people to encourage them to be more environmentally friendly. An informal survey on whether to ban plastic bags was held around the town last autumn by local activists, including Adam Walton, a trustee of the Pound Arts Centre in Corsham.

He said: "The biggest culprits in this are the supermarkets. They could reduce the volume of plastic bags that they use, and it would make a big impact.

"Central government seems to be very good at talking about this, but not actually doing anything about it."

Ian Storey, president of Corsham Chamber of Commerce, said: "The chamber supports the idea.

"We are trying to use recyclable bags wherever possible."