Residents of Newton Abbot have been snapping up reusable environmentally-friendly shopping bags at venues in the town this week. The 4,000 bags, which are made of polypropylene and last for about three years, have been shipped from China by Roy Paver, of Newton Abbot, who is campaigning to reduce the use of carrier bags in the town. Grants from Newton Abbot Town Council and Teignbridge Council have helped pay for the bags. But Mr Paver has had to pay £700 to get them through customs, VAT and delivery costs to Newton Abbot. 'The bags will be given free to TQ12 households, but a voluntary contribution per bag would be much appreciated to help towards these extra costs. 'all they have to do is complete a coupon to be given a bag,' said Mr Paver. 'Anyone living outside the TQ12 area may have a bag for a charge of 75p.' Mr Paver has been giving the bags away in Asda, but don't despair – if you have not grabbed a bag yet, all you have to do is fill in the coupon on the right and collect your bag from various outlets in the town. 'Once a coupon has been filled out people can collect their bags from Newton Abbot Town Council at Devon Square, the tourist information centre and the Mid-Devon Advertiser office,' he said. Filled-in coupons can also be dropped off in a collection box in all major supermarkets in the town. A bag application coupon is also available on Mr paver's website at http://www.sayno2plasticbags.org.uk">www.sayno2plasticbags.org.uk Mr Paver needs volunteers to help distribute the bags 'Those interested can contact me via the website,' he said.