Chris HillAn eye-catching purple shopping bag designed to promote environmental concerns - along with Fakenham's new slogan - was launched in the town last week.Chris Hill

An eye-catching purple shopping bag designed to promote environmental concerns - along with Fakenham's new slogan - was launched in the town last week.

Fakenham Area Partnership (FAP) won Lottery funding earlier this year to produce a recyclable jute bag as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce plastic bag use and support local food producers.

But the project also created an opportunity to promote town pride, resulting in the 'Bloomin' Lovely' slogan designed by Fakenham High School students Naomi Martindale and Maddie Darrell.

Many of the 1,000 jute bags have now been distributed to shops, information points and tourist attractions in and around the town

FAP co-ordinator Janet Holdom said the project's appeal had expanded beyond its initial environmental message.

She said: 'While the project started out as a campaign to raise awareness of sustainable living, I think the reason it has been adopted so enthusiastically by retailers, the town council, visitor sites and the public is because the bag is fun and the over-arching theme promotes Fakenham and its local suppliers.

'There is a wry slogan on there which will amuse people and it is quite fashionable while getting the message across that we should be proud of Fakenham.'

The bags are 100pc recyclable and all materials and transport involved in their production have been chosen to minimise carbon usage.

A Farmers' Market calendar will be inserted into each bag to underline the 'shop locally, eat healthier, and live sustainably' message.

The bags will be sold at a recommended price of �3.50, with all proceeds going to fund a future environmental project - most likely new LED bulbs to enhance the town's Christmas lights displays.