Paper produced from elephant dung is on its way to the UK.

Ellie Poo Paper, set up in July this year by managing director Nigel Gifford, produces bespoke paper from elephant dung imported from Sri Lanka.

Gifford said that while on a conference trip to Sri Lanka he acquired a business card made from elephant dung.

"I tracked down the two guys responsible for producing the card and offered to be their exclusive UK and European agent," he said.

The dung is collected, cleansed and purified, with the resultant paste being made into a high concentrate paper containing 90% purified elephant droppings.

The paper is then exported to the UK and sent to Two Rivers Paper Company at Pitt mill in Watchett, Somerset, where it is again broken down, with a cotton furnish added to the end material.

Gifford said packaging companies, several zoos, The Natural History Museum and The Body Shop had shown an interest in the paper.

"The first items we are producing will be notebooks and self-sealing envelopes," added Gifford.

Around 5% of profits from Ellie Poo Paper go to towards the conservation of the Sri Lankan elephant, with a further 5% being invested in a trust fund to provide education for Sri Lankan locals.

Contact: 01749 670570.

Story by Andy Scott