A SWAP-SHOP of household goods prevented 160kg of waste being sent to landfill.

The environmentally friendly action group Sustainable Wantage organised the freecycle event at The Mix, in Mill Street, on Saturday.

People could take and swap unwanted household goods like books, toys, games, DVDs, gardening equipment and kitchen wares.

Chairwoman of Sustainable Wantage Mim Norvell said: “The idea is to stop things going into landfill just because people don’t want or need them any more.

“It helps people on low incomes or those who have just moved into a new house because it saves people money as they don’t have to buy things they can get for free.”

Sustainable Wantage has been involved in organising freecycle events in the town for about four years.

It is thought 78 people attended Saturday’s swap-shop, but larger events where electrical items are exchanged can attract more than 100 people.

Secretary of Sustainable Wantage, Jo Harvey, said: “People can bring whatever they want that they don’t want to throw away, so it’s like a jumble sale without any money.

“It’s about people valuing things. So even if they have finished using it there can be others who would use it.”