The borough's seat of government has come up with a nappy offer parents can't refuse.

Richmond upon Thames Council is offering residents the chance to apply for £50 cash-back under a reusable nappies incentive scheme.

The council is offering residents the cash-back against prior purchase of reusable nappies or towards the use of a nappy laundering service.

Around 130 people have applied for and received cash-back application packs since May this year.

Cabinet member for environment, Coun Martin Elengorn, said: "There is already great take-up of this scheme by our residents and I hope it will encourage even more parents to convert to reusables.

"Washable nappies are now, I am told, very convenient to use.

"They're also kinder to the environment with disposables being responsible for up to 4 per cent of waste landfilled by the borough."

Two residents who have signed up to the scheme, and are delighted with it, are Karen McKinnon from Twickenham and Hampton resident Joanne Brignall.

Joanne, who has two children, said: "Reusable nappies come in some great designs, with poppers or Velcro instead of old fashioned safety pins. My little boy is extremely happy in them and they are surprisingly easy to use."

Mum-to-be Karen added: "I would urge all parents to take advantage of the cash-back scheme. It was very easy to register.

"My sister also used reusables for her children and got on well. It saves around £500 on the cost of keeping babies in disposables and more if you keep them for subsequent children."

For details on how to register for the cash-back scheme phone the Eco Action office on 020 8891 7063 or go to richmond.gov.uk/re-usable_nappies.

Information on reusable nappies will also be available at the forthcoming borough EcoFair to be held at the Teddington Landmark Centre on September 29 and 30.