A CHAIN in charge of three Oxfordshire pubs has pledged to ban certain plastics across its sites.

Oakman Inns has announced it wants to scrap single-use plastics across its group by April 22, 2019.

The date coincides with Earth Day, an annual event celebrated worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

The group runs The Blue Boar in Witney, The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon and the Old Post Office in Wallingford.

Peter Borg Neal, the company's chief executive officer, said: "So much of our ethos at Oakman Inns emanates from the wishes of our staff and our customers who are almost universal in their desire to end plastic consumption wherever possible.

"Oakman has a reputation for leading the way and, to a certain extent, it’s now up to us to show what can be done with the support of all our stakeholders, including our suppliers."

The company claims to be the first multi-site pub chain to stop using plastic straws, having scrapped them to mark Earth Day last year.

The chain is also part of the Refill national campaign, which means customers can have their water bottle refilled at their pubs for free.

Oakman's chef director Ross Pike said: "We are dedicated to creating a business that is not only commercial, but which takes its responsibilities seriously within the communities it serves and in the wider environment in which it works.

"It’s initiatives like ensuring our fish come from sustainable sources, focusing on seasonal produce, switching to LED bulbs throughout the restaurant and, of course, managing our food waste.

"These things that make the difference, not just for us, but we hope to a wider world."