AROUND 14,000 tonnes of disposable nappies are thrown away every year in Worcestershire and Herefordshire alone.

Now environmental campaigners are persuading mums to go back to traditional, nappies as part of their bit to help save the world.

This week marks The BIG Recycle 2005, a week of activity and events dedicated to encouraging people to recycle more often.

Mandie Wright of washable nappy manufacturers Lollipop came to Worcester's CrownGate Shopping Centre yesterday to tell parents and parents-to-be how they can make a difference to the environment.

"Disposable nappies are an expensive choice, in terms of the costs to your purse and the environment," she said.

With four-and-a-half trees destroyed to keep just one baby in nappies for 30 months, she will be hoping her message gets through.

Carolyn Mantle, CrownGate's centre manager said: "We would encourage our shoppers to join us in keeping Worcestershire beautiful".