TO celebrate this year's National Real Nappy Week, the Devon Real Nappy Project is again giving away £100 to the first baby born in Okehampton Hospital, in the hope that it will be used to purchase real nappies and therefore reduce waste to landfill.

The prize is part of the national campaign, running from Monday April 26 to Sunday May 2, which aims to inform parents of the alternatives to disposable nappies and highlights how parents will not only help combat climate change but also save money by using real nappies.

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

West Devon Borough Council will be holding two road shows in support of the campaign, one in Okehampton on April 27 and the other in Tavistock on April 30, where many different types of nappies will be on display.

With more than 28 million disposable nappies being thrown away in Devon every year, using real nappies, even just some of the time, can make a difference and will also save up to 5,600 tonnes of waste going to landfill.

Using real nappies can also save up to £500 on average — including washing costs — compared with using disposables.

Even more savings can be achieved if the same nappies are used for subsequent babies.

In West Devon it is now possible to 'Try before you buy' as Tavistock Area Children's Centre hold a stock of trial kits, which contain different types of nappies and are free to try for one month; a refundable deposit is paid on collection. Parents can borrow these kits to find the one that best suits their baby.

To find out more visit http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk and search for real nappies, call the Children's Centre on 01822 614210 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

For more information contact The Devon Real Nappy Project on 0800 328 8175 or visit http://www.recycledevon.org">www.recycledevon.org