Love is ... not sending a Valentine this year, claim green campaigners

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If you want to be a good lover, start thinking about the impact your romance has on the environment.

Campaigners say the traditional tokens of affection exchanged on February 14 should be ditched because they damage the planet.

Instead, couples should be striving to "enjoy a greener romance" - at least according to a pressure group in Wales.

Waste Awareness Wales is promoting e-cards to try to reduce the waste caused by the 13 million Valentine's cards bought in Britain each year.

Couples are also being urged to make their own cards from left-over wrapping paper.

Other advice includes buying flowers planted in a pot instead of a bunch of cut ones. Those who insist on buying chocolates are urged to buy ones with the least packaging.

Better presents than those involving packaging are "waste-free" gifts such as theatre tickets.

People wishing to cook a romantic meal are advised to check the quantities of food required for their recipe so they do not waste food by making too much. They are also urged to compost any peelings.

Last night, however, the Welsh Assembly-funded campaign was branded a waste of money.

Matthew Elliot of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "People don't pay their taxes for killjoys to lecture them about e-cards on Valentine's Day.

"This would be laughable if it wasn't for the fact this money is so sorely needed elsewhere."