BABY Lauren Lloyd was the lucky winner of the Devon Real Nappy Project £100 voucher give-away by being the first baby born in Okehampton Hospital during Real Nappy Week (April 26 – May 2).

Along with others at Okehampton Maternity Unit, Lauren's parents Samantha and Jonathon were given the opportunity to try a wide variety of reusable nappies as part of a national campaign to inform parents of the alternatives to disposable nappies, and to highlight how people can help combat climate change by using real nappies.

All nappies use energy, whether it is to make disposables or to wash real ones. But, taking everything into account, washing nappies at home leads to less climate change impact than using disposables.

The Devon Real Nappy Project is working with Devon Primary Care Trust, which runs Okehampton Hospital, to encourage more parents to use the nappies.

Chair of West Devon Borough Council's environment and community committee, Cllr Robert Sampson, said: 'With over 28 million disposable nappies being thrown away in Devon every year, using real nappies even part time can make a difference and will also save up to 5,600 tonnes of waste going to landfill. Most new parents are unaware of the wide variety of washable nappies now available. These modern real nappies are environmentally friendly, economical and easy to use.'

Using real nappies also saves money, too. Parents can save up to £500 on average, including washing costs, compared with using disposables, and more savings can be achieved if the same nappies are used for subsequent babies.