Binning plastic bags once and for all, was the message from the Soroptimist Society recently when they set up a stall in the Diamond, Enniskillen aimed at reducing the use of plastic bags.

A spokesperson for the organisation explained: "Caring for the environment has been one of the aims of the women's service organisation 'Soroptimist International' since it's formation in the 1920's.

"At Enniskillen Soroptimist Club we wished to create our own bag to promote reduction of plastic bag use in Fermanagh and went about looking for a supplier. By chance, we saw a bag made by a company in India and to our delight it was made in Pune where we have a friendship link with the local Soroptimist Club and the company is run by a Soroptimist!," she explained.

"'The Papermill" produces paper and textile products using hand made and natural sources and provides employment for women, so by ordering the bags from them we were able to fulfil other aims of Soroptimist such as friendship, international goodwill and promoting the status of women.

"The bags are of good quality and sturdy. We had a really positive response from shoppers in Enniskillen who visited our stall and purchasers have been pleased with their bags so now we have our blue bags as well as our blue bins to help us reduce, reuse and recycle."