Baby Patryk Tomasik was the lucky winner of the Devon Real Nappy Project £100 giveaway by being the first child born in Okehampton Hospital during Real Nappy Week — April 27 to May 1.

Along with others at the Okehampton Maternity Unit, Patryk's proud parents, Agnieszka and Krystian, were given the opportunity to try a wide variety of reusable nappies as part of a national campaign to inform parents of the alternatives to disposable nappies, and to highlight how people can help combat climate change by using real nappies.

All nappies use energy, whether it is to make disposables or to wash real ones. But, taking everything into account, washing nappies at home leads to less climate change impact than using disposables.

The Devon Real Nappy Project is working with Devon Primary Care Trust, which runs Okehampton Hospital, to encourage more parents to use the nappies.

Terri Easton, West Devon Borough Council's waste education officer, said: 'With over 28 million disposable nappies being thrown away in Devon every year, using real nappies even part time can make a difference and will also save up to 5,600 tonnes of waste going to landfill.

'Most new parents are unaware of the wide variety of washable nappies now available. These modern real nappies are environmentally friendly, economical and easy to use.'

Using real nappies also saves money, too. Parents can save up to £500 on average — including washing costs — compared with using disposables, and even more savings can be achieved if the same nappies are used for subsequent babies.

For more information about real nappies and events in your area, contact the Devon Real Nappy Project on 0800 328 8175 or visit http://www.recycledevon.org">www.recycledevon.org