PARENTS are being encouraged to dump the disposable and switch to real nappies in the latest Three Rivers environment initiative.

The Real Nappy campaign has been backed by the Women's Environmental Network, Watford and District Friends of the Earth, Watford and Three Rivers Primary Care Trust and the Hertfordshire WasteAware Partnership.

Over the next few months information packs will be distributed throughout the district detailing special offers, and giveaways of real nappies.

Mother and baby groups in the area can look forward to "nappuchino" coffee mornings where they can find out more about the benefits of real nappies.

New generation real nappies are environmentally friendly and cheaper than disposable nappies, and it is estimated that they can save parents at least £500 per child.

According to statistics from Three Rivers District Council, disposable nappies cost the Three Rivers taxpayer £52,000 per year to send to landfill, causing increasing harm to the environment as they take between 200 and 500 years to break down.

The real nappy scheme run by the council also offers parents a cashback incentive of up to £80 for using real nappies.

For more information telephone 01923 776611.