MILLPORT is joining the war on waste with the island set to get its first plastic-free shop.

The new venture is being headed by the team at Breath of Heaven and will see them move into new premises within the old Royal Mail building at 37 Stuart Street, pictured.

Inspired to try and do their bit to tackle climate change and the need for unnecessary packaging, it is hoped the zero waste shop will encourage islanders to 'go green' and be more environmentally aware.

Lisa Christie, who works at Breath of Heaven, said: "I think more people are changing their habits and want to reduce waste, so we hope that it will encourage more people to shop sustainably.

"The idea is that people will bring their own container to refill with things like pasta, cereals, seeds, herbs and spices, baking ingredients, tea, coffee and whatever else they need.

"The island has already got behind the idea of being more eco-friendly and there are quite a lot of people who support the regular beach cleans. We want them to get behind this bid to support the environment."

Lisa says the shop is expected to be open by Easter.

She added: "At the moment the store is still being kitted out but we hope to be up and running and have all the licensing in place as soon as we can."

The venture is also expected to create an employment opportunity, with at least one position set to be advertised.

This will be the second shop of its kind to open in the area with Minimal Footprint due to open soon in Largs.

Breath of Heaven, which operates as a community interest company will remain an umbrella group masterminding different projects aimed at putting something back in to the community.

It will aim to continue to support groups and workshops however since it will no longer have a premises it will be using other community spaces.