A YOUNG campaigner has launched his own petition to stop the use of plastic in Christmas crackers.

Alexander Tasker, aged 13, started the petition in September, hoping to help rid the Christmas table of “a pile of plastic that nobody actually wants”.

Through online support from his school, More House in Frensham, and mother Jane, Alexander is on his way to reaching 1,000 signatures.

On choosing to start the petition, he said: “I love crackers, especially at Christmas. What I don’t like is all the plastic toys and bits that just end being thrown away.

“Why can’t they be made from something more environmentally friendly?”

While Christmas crackers are a staple feature on Christmas Day, he offered his solutions to cutting out the plastic: “I have heard on the BBC about plastic made from cactus plants – perhaps they can use that instead?

“Or just use paper or metal which can all be recycled.”

Looking to the effect that plastic has also had on the oceans, Alexander described how he “loved diving and snorkelling” and expressed hope that there would be fish to see “when I’m older” and the ocean floor “not covered in yet more plastic rubbish”.

Following the initial signatures, mother Jane suggested some routes that businesses should take, should there be success with the petition: “Perhaps if we can just get the supermarket giants in the UK to stop selling the ones full of plastic that would be a start.

“Maybe then other countries would follow suit – it is such a small thing to stop but would make a huge difference.”

She also praised Alexander’s initiative, adding that she would like the petition to be “heard by as many people as possible” and that the response has been “fantastic with lots of supporting messages”.

To pledge your support to Alexander’s campaign, visit https://tinyurl.com/y4kkeumn