A Chester village-based company took its plastic wipe protest to the Annual Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week, demanding the Prime Minister act on banning plastic wipes now.

A blanket plastic wipe ban in England was announced by Rishi Sunak in April this year, but it could be 2024 before any real changes are implemented.

Pura, founded in Tattenhall in 2020 by Guy and Abi Fennell, predicts that in reality, it could take even longer than this.

The company manufactures affordable eco-friendly baby care including plastic-free wipes, and has been a relentless campaigner of banning plastic wipes since its inception.

Guy Fennell, Pura founder and champion of banning plastic wipes, said: “The plastic wipe situation in this country is a very sorry one.

"Naturally we’re pleased that a ban is looking like it could be brought in – but we’re questioning how long it could actually take for legislation to be pushed through. This is not the first time that action to tackle plastic wipes has been announced with no follow through, so until we see them off the shelves – we will keep on protesting!”

A wrapped lorry - provided by the Culina Group and designed by Pura, stating: “Hey Mr Prime Minister! It’s time to BAN plastic wipes”, was driven through the streets of Manchester on Tuesday to make the message heard.

It was accompanied by Pura staff who stood outside the conference wearing sandwich boards displaying the same message, to further protest against the lack of action in banning plastic wipes.

Mr Fennell added: “As long as fatbergs threaten our waterways and plastic wipes pollute our country, we will be there campaigning against them every step of the way. That’s a Pura promise.”

A representative from Culina Group said: “It was extremely important for us to support Pura in their mission to make their plastic wipe ban message heard.

"Sustainability is massive to us here at Culina Group, and with many of our drivers passing rivers and canals every day, we want to be part of making sure our waterways are clean and pollution-free for generations to come.”

The Pura lorry and campaigners are expected to turn up at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool next week, and in London later this month at Prime Minister's Questions to amplify their message to 10 Downing Street.

The subject of plastic wipes came up in PMQs last month, from Putney Labour MP Fleur Anderson, asking for an update.

Mr Sunak responded: "In the comprehensive “Plan for Water” that was published by the Environment Secretary in April, we confirmed our intention to ban wet wipes containing plastic, subject, as is legally proper, to a public consultation.

"That consultation will be launched in the coming months, in autumn this year, and I know Ministers will keep the House updated on progress."

To find out more about Pura’s mission to democratise eco and ban plastic wipes for good, visit https://mypura.com/pages/mission