AN environmentally friendly artist is encouraging people to attend the events for Earth Day. 

This takes place on April 22, and the theme for this year's event is Planet v Plastics, it is UN-recognised and has been happening around the world since 1970. 

Ursula Troche, a Maryport-based artist, believes everyone should be doing what they can to reduce their use of plastic. 

She is a campaigner for the use of refill shops, where people can go and buy everyday essentials without using plastic. 

Ms Troche said: "These shops are so-called because when shopping there, you take your used jars and bottles with you and fill them with new food, or liquids.

"In this way, the many jars and plastic you accumulate in your household come to good use. Instead of taking them to your recycling centre, wash them out and take them to a refill shop, and in this way go shopping without making use of any new packaging.

"Going to refill shops is one way to help make Cumbria the first net zero carbon county by 2037 – a strategy that Zero Carbon Cumbria is currently working on, and to succeed, we need to be all on board. 

"On an international level, the Global Plastic Treaty – which is an Anti-plastic treaty, requests all countries to come up with more action on how to tackle our plastic problem.

"The way we shop is so important, as it is an everyday activity, and by choosing to go shopping at a refill sop, we contribute to a circular economy.

"Refilling is more effective than recycling, because you can rest assured that nothing goes to waste and landfill."

At Whitehaven Library there will be an event on Saturday, April 20 with the environmental group GreenHaven and a chance to see Ursula's work. 

On April 27 at Workington Library Ursula's artwork will again be on display. People can also check out her work at Maryport Library and the aquarium.