A LARGS dad is hoping to gain the backing of local businesses as he looks to introduce a unique reusable coffee cup to the town.

Alan Peddie is trying to reduce the town's plastic usage by encouraging local cafes and restaurants to offer a discount on hot drinks for people with the holder.

He has been approaching the businesses in a bid to get them on board with the initiative, which would see them also selling the unique Largs-branded cup.

Whilst the details are still being ironed out, Alan says that the initial feedback has been very encouraging.

The local father, who founded the Largs Environmental Group, said: "This would be a great way of reducing the one use packaging that a lot of businesses here use.

"Offering an incentive to bring your cup along might encourage more people to think about the changes they could make.

"The Green Shutters, Beachcombers, Largs Post Office, the Bagel Basket, Bean and Leaf and Haylie Stores have all expressed an interest and are all keen in principle.

"We just need them to be happy with the cost and the discount as we need them to buy them from us then be able to sell on.

"We make no profit and they would make a little, however in terms of practicalities it's a bit tougher to execute and the costs and discounts are proving a little trickier than I thought."

Alan plans to have 240 cups branded with a town logo for sale at around £6.70, which would be used to pilot the scheme.

He added: "It is a great way to get the word out and build some enthusiasm."

Alan works at Edinburgh University for the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability and says that a similar scheme has been set up there and enjoyed great success.

Green Shutters owner Jim Walker says he is fully supportive of the plan.

He told the News: "It's a great idea. To have the initiative across the town would be brilliant.

"We want to put the green in Green Shutters and hopefully we can make more of our stuff biodegradable.

"Customers will soon punish businesses which aren't being eco-friendly and chose to go somewhere else.

"Alan came down one morning to discuss it with me and I was interested right away. It will be good to see it develop."

The project has been taken on under the banner of the Largs Environmental Group and research into its feasibility is ongoing.