A PLASTIC free shop has had its official opening with help from a team of rowers who are crossing the Atlantic to raise awareness about ocean pollution.

The Only Weigh Out, in Stokesley, which opened in the former HSBC in High Street in January, had an event on Saturday.

Mary Elizabeth Webb, who owns the shop with Adam Carroll, said: "It's been really popular so far. We have been overwhelmed by the support from the local area. We've done it in the perfect place because Stokesley is such a rich community.

"There are multiple reasons people come. People want to reduce plastic, but there are also lifestyle reasons around clean living and having more choice in terms of some things you can't get at the supermarket."

A team of rowers who are going from New York to London, including Nunthorpe man Joel McGlynn, visited the shop on Saturday to raise awareness about plastic pollution.

Ms Webb added: "We thought it was a great opportunity to come together in support of reducing plastic pollution."

It also featured live music by Emily Struthers, who performed in the shop's former bank safe.