A call is to be made for Norfolk County Council to do more to reduce plastic waste - and inspire others to do likewise.

The Independent Group at County Hall has tabled a motion to the full council meeting a week on Monday.

With Norfolk having 90 miles of coastline, and marine environments particularly at risk from plastic pollution, the group want the council to reaffirm its commitment to the protection of the environment.

Councillor Sandra Squire, who recently returned from sailing the Atlantic in the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, said: 'Councils are in the unique position of being able to lead by example and inspire the community.

'There can't be anyone who hasn't heard of the damage plastic pollution is having on the world's oceans, yet still we have plastic cups for water in meeting rooms.

'I've crossed an ocean, been more than a thousand miles from land and seen balloons and plastics floating in the water.'

The motion includes a call for the council to phase out single use plastics.

They want to see chilled water dispensers and plastic cups removed from council meeting rooms, with jugs of water and glasses provided instead.

They want the sale of items in single use plastic packaging on council premises stopped, including drinks bottles, food wrappers, bottle tops and plastic lids.

And the motion also calls for more to be done to stop Chinese lantern releases.

Norfolk County Council banned their release on council land in 2014 and most other Norfolk councils have followed suit.

However, the Independent Group would like more work done by the council to work with other organisations, including schools and clubs to publicise the dangers of balloon and Chinese lantern releases to stop them happening in Norfolk at all.

The motion will be discussed at the council meeting on Monday, October 15.