AS ALARM bells ring over climate change, an eco-friendly shop has set up in a town to help people reduce their impact on the environment.

Leading scientists at the UN have said that slowing down climate change will require a change by people at all levels of society, from government to the consumer.

A new shop, Naturally Ethical, will give parents, residents and visitors in Ruthin the opportunity to make more environmentally friendly purchases.

The store, situated on Well Street, opened on Friday, October 12 with shelves full of items from bamboo and stainless-steel drinking straws, organic clothing and nappies to vegan cosmetics and toiletries such as plastic free toothpaste and dental floss.

Jayne Bedford, a mum-of-one and trained baby wearing consultant, who moved to the town from the Worcesteshire this year, said: “When I had my boy I wanted to become more eco-conscious and buy items that are ethically made.

“I realised that there are not many shops that you can see these types of products on display.

“With items such as baby carriers buying online is not always the best option as you don't always get the advice on how to put them on correctly."

"We accept Denbighshire council nappy vouchers and are happy to give advice on using cloth nappies having used them ourselves.

“We provide sanitary alternatives such as washable cloth pads, cotton disposable tampons and pads.

“We also have reusable bottles, as long as people remember to take them out with them!”

Mrs Bedford has resettled and started the shop as her new labour of love with her husband, who has taken up employment as a warehouse manager after 12 years in the RAF.

“We'd always planned to move to North Wales when he left the military and Ruthin has been somewhere we have both loved for a long time, so it seemed the obvious choice.

“We are happy to be living a more settled life without the six-month military deployments he had to go on.”

Prior to the shop’s opening, Mrs Bedford ran a project with primary school pupils from Ysgol Llanfair, where her son attends nursery class, who have helped to decorate the shop by making pictures and homely items like plant pots and bunting out of reused plastic.

Helen Oldfield, headteacher at Ysgol Llanfair, said: "It was good experience for the pupils to take charge of the project. Jayne attended an 'Eco Club' meeting, briefed them with the task and set them a deadline.

"Every class was involved in making the items and sourced the plastic from home as well as the school.

"It also formed a homework project.

"It is important to learn about environmental issues and give customers choice, and this project has raised pupils' awareness.

Jan Pike, chair of the Denbigh Plastic Free group that has helped businesses across Denbigh to reduce their plastic use, said: “Naturally Ethical will be a great help with the progress towards plastic free communities.

"I hope more shops will take their lead from her and work towards more sustainable trading."