THIRSK MP Kevin Hollinrake is giving up the bottle for Lent - plastic bottles that is.

Mr Hollinrake is one of a group of Conservative MPs taking up a series of plastic-free challenges to raise awareness about the difficulties of living without the material, whilst highlighting its environmental dangers.

Mr Hollinrake said he was also “determined” to cut out using buying or using plastic bottles beyond Lent, adding: “We will all do our bit to highlight how damaging plastic can be for our environment and by cutting down on single-use plastics.

“I am sure it is not going to be easy as we have all become accustomed to using plastic every day without always thinking about the consequences.”

Millions of birds and sea mammals die annually from eating and getting tangled in plastic waste.