ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly council chiefs have urged Sidmouth and Ottery residents to sign up to a scheme that aims to axe junk mail.

Don’t let Devon Go To Waste leaders want householders to register with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS)

The free initiative enables consumers to have their names and addresses removed from lists used by the direct mail industry.

Nearly 50,000 tonnes of junk mail is created in Devon every year - which is a waste of natural resources that will end up in landfill if not recycled, says Devon County Council.

More than 110,000 people are registered with the MPS. The target this year is 11,000 sign-ups – a 10per cent increase - that would be a saving of 440 tonnes of junk mail alone.

Councillor Roger Croad, DCC cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, said: “This is a simple and free way to stop unwanted mail hitting your doorstep”

The MPS, set up 20 years ago, is funded by the direct mail industry.

Register with MPS by visiting www.recycledevon.org/junk.