Bath and North East Somerset locals should buy second-hand clothing to save pennies, and the planet, the region’s directly elected Mayor Dan Norris has urged. Mr Norris, who leads the West of England Mayoral Authority, is backing second-hand September, the national fast-fashion-fighting effort led by Oxfam encouraging people to shop pre-loved and donate what they no longer need or wear – which kicked off on Friday 1st. Marking the annual campaign, the Labour Mayor said that only 10% of the average Bath and North East Somerset resident’s wardrobe in the city is second-hand. But, he pointed to new research showing that if every single person in Bath and North East Somerset, and across the country, bought half of their wardrobe second-hand, it could prevent emissions equivalent to a whopping 261,000 flights to Greece entering into the atmosphere. Buying and donating second-hand clothes gives them a longer life and helps to slow down fast fashion which produces dirty emissions when they’re made, he explained. "It is time to move away from the 'buying for buying's sake' mentality”, Mr Norris said. A focus on second-hand would also help Bath and North East Somerset locals with the rising cost of living, he added. Mayor Norris, who toured the Oxfam store on Argyle Street in Bath, said: "I’ve always said the cost-of-living and climate crises are two sides of the same coin. Choosing second-hand is one way we can all leave a lighter footprint on the planet while saving some cash during this really difficult time for so many at the same time. “Plus, when you shop at second-hand stores, like Oxfam, you're raising really important pots of cash for the brilliant charities we have in this country which do so much for so many. That’s frankly a brilliant place for Bath and North East Somerset locals to put their cash. “I urge everyone in the Bath and North East Somerset to make the most powerful fashion statement they can and pick old over new this September – and beyond.”