A 'FLASH mob' is taking to the streets of Rhyl to encourage shoppers and business to ditch single use plastics.

Volunteers of Surfers Against Sewage in Rhyl (SASIR) are set to launch the Refill in Rhyl scheme to encourage the town's businesses to help eradicate single use plastic bottles with a large, impromptu public gathering on Saturday, March 16.

Refill is an award-winning, grass roots national campaign which aims to make it easier to reuse and refill water bottles with free tap water, rather than buy a new bottle of mineral water.

SASIR volunteer organiser Keith Jones said: "It's going to be more of a flash mob attack on the town centre and cafes, asking them if they'll join in.

"Despite the impact on our environment, many people still drink bottled water because they believe it not only tastes better but is better and safer than tap water. "In reality tap water is often more tightly regulated not to mention that a recent global study of bottled water found tiny plastic particles - or microplastics - in over 90 percent of samples.

"These microplastics are found throughout our oceans and result from natural water erosion and sunlight breaking down plastic into tiny particles. A single plastic microbead can be a million times more toxic than the water around it."

While SASIR are perhaps better known for their monthly beach cleans, this latest campaign fits in with their goal to make Rhyl a #PlasticFreeCommunity with their work in schools and with businesses and community groups, supported by Rhyl Town Council.

Mr Jones added: "The Refill in Rhyl scheme is already underway at the Kite Surf Café, the Crazy Golf on West Parade, Premier Inn and Cookhouse, Costa, and the Sussex, but we in the SASIR group are hoping to make a bigger impact by actively encouraging and supporting more pubs, hotels, cafes and other businesses or offices to become a Refill in Rhyl station.

"It’s a simple scheme, all we ask is that you’re happy for the public to refill their bottles with your tap water."

For more details on the scheme visit the scheme's Facebook at facebook.com/RefillRhyl or by email at SASIR via sasinrhyl@gmail.com.