TWO REFILL sites in Polzeath and Rock have provided 10,000 litres of water to the public, saving huge amounts of plastic entering the local waters.

The refill water drinking points came to fruition earlier this year, and were introduced by the Polzeath Marine Conservation Group, a collection of people passionate about the wellbeing of their local marine environment.

The refill point on the seafront of Polzeath was officially opened on Saturday, April 7 by Doc Martin actor Joe Absolom, while the second refill point at Rock was opened on Saturday, July 7.

Since the stations’ introduction to the two communities, they have provided 10,000 litres of water to sailors, ferry-users and the general public on the beaches, costing the group around £20 and being ‘priceless’ to the sea.

Tina Robinson, a volunteer of the Polzeath Marine Conservation Group, came up with the idea for the refill initiative after a holiday in Australia.

She said: “I loved the water fountains I saw on Australian beaches. Back home, I was heartbroken to see endless plastic bottles causing damage to our environment, so I decided to do something about it.”

The refill stations help prevent plastic water bottles from the area entering the local waters and causing further harm to the marine environment.

It is estimated that approximately 10-billion plastic bottles are discarded in the UK every year, and very often find their way into the ocean — causing detrimental harm to marine life.