On Friday, June 20, there will be a range of activities taking place from 10am to 5pm in High Street North to raise awareness of recycling and reusing bags.

Councillors will be visiting businesses and encouraging them to sign up to a plastic bag-free pledge.

Lead member for environment, Councillor Pat Sheekey, said: "This is a small step that everyone can take to improve the environment and reduce the number of plastic bags going to landfill. Every plastic bag will outlive you or me as it can take up to 1,000 years to decompose."

Lead member for East Ham, Councillor Lakmini Shah said: "We want to reduce the number of plastic bags that would typically be used on the High Street by 80 per cent. It is a challenge, but if we all say 'no thanks' to plastic bags when it's offered, it's easily achievable."

The council's energy efficiency team and FairTrade will have stalls at the event. There will be a competition to win prizes including an eco-kettle and energy efficient light bulbs.

Recycling firm Shanks will also be present with fun activities such as bag painting and the Green Bus will be at the St John's Car Park, next to the Denmark Arms pub with recycling information.

Children and young people from Lathom, Vicarage and Nelson primary schools, Langdon secondary school and Newham College will join the Newham Volunteers in educating passers by about recycling plastic bags and swapping plastic bags for reusable bags.