TEN stores in the area are ditching plastic bags for life.

The Southern Co-op is urging shoppers to switch to reusable bags to help tackle climate change.

The group is hoping to deter customers from treating bags for life as if they were single use.

One alternative will be compostable carrier bags available for 10p. These are a more environmentally responsible choice and have a secondary use as a food waste caddy liner.

The bags are certified compostable and can be collected as part of local authority household food waste collections or are suitable for use in home compost bins.

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Gemma Lacey, Director for Sustainability and Communications at Southern Co-op, said: "For years we have been asking our customers and members to bring bags with them so this is naturally the next step - removing the option of buying single-use plastic bags or using a plastic bag for life as the next cheapest alternative.

"We have a duty to act against climate change and to give our customers a way to be more environmentally responsible.

"However, as our stores are based on convenience, we understand that people might not be carrying a bag with them, so the compostable bag is a more responsible alternative to plastic."