Hundreds of businesses help to cut back on bottled water

Hundreds of restaurants, clubs and shops have now signed up to the Evening Standard's Water On Tap campaign.

They range from Michelin-starred establishments including Tom Aikens to high street chains such as McDonald's and Starbucks.

Today we launch a new website allowing people to find pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and cafés in their area that have signed the Standard's online pledge to offer free tap water to customers without prejudice.

Visitors to www.standard.co.uk can search by area or postcode, and get directions to their venue of choice. Businesses wishing to join the Water On Tap campaign can sign up online. The aim is to end the practice of food venues offering only "still or sparkling" bottled water without mentioning that water is available on tap. Diners and drinkers often feel stigmatised by asking for tap water.

The campaign also aims to slash the negative impact of bottled water on the environment.

Britons drink three billion bottles of water every year, and half a billion of these are flown in or shipped from overseas.

The campaign was launched by chef Aldo Zilli at his Soho restaurant and has been backed by leading politicians, with even Gordon Brown banning bottled water at cabinet meetings.