A SOMERSET-based business has partnered with an innovative new water brand to launch the first plastic water bottle offering customers a sustainable alternative available in Tesco stores.

Cheddar Natural Spring Water is supplying NEO WTR with its spring water bottled at source from the 400-acre Cheddar Gorge estate, deep below the Mendip Hills – but the 500ml bottle is the first to be produced from ocean-bound plastic that would have polluted the world’s waterways.

NEO WTR has developed a bottle that can help to significantly slow the damage caused to marine life.

Tabitha Urch, from Cheddar Natural Spring Water, said: “We’ve been bottling our delicious natural spring water for over 15 years, but people become more aware of pollution challenges with the packaging that we use to keep our food and drink fresh, it’s wonderful to work with a company who are one step ahead and offer a more sustainable packaging alternative,”

NEO WTR managing director Nigel McNally said: “The pressure is mounting on soft drinks manufacturers to provide solutions to prevent a global disaster. "We've worked incredibly hard to bring this extremely worthwhile product to market. “NEO WTR is a first for the soft drinks category and a massive advancement in packaging.

“Our 100 per cent Prevented Ocean Plastic bottle, offers an environmentally positive option that actively tackles the growing problem of ocean plastic.”

Waste bottles are shipped from developing communities worldwide to be processed in the UK, ready to be filled with Cheddar Natural Spring Water.

The plastic meets regulatory health and safety standards, is traceable back to source, and can be identified on-pack through its distinctive triangular logo.