ALRESFORD'S Co-op branch has joined the campaign to rid the town of plastic bags.
The West Street supermarket is introducing biodegradable bags made from cornstarch.
It follows a move by Alresford Chamber of Commerce last summer to persuade the town's retailers to replace plastic carriers with a reusable "Bag for Life", made from jute.
The Co-op claims the cornstarch bags, which will cost shoppers 5p, are the most environmentally-friendly carrier available. The store is also offering customers a Fairtrade "Bag for Life", costing 99p.
Manager, Lydia Sanderson, said the store had begun phasing in the new biodegradable bags already and that 99 per cent of customers were in favour of the change.
"I believe it will be a very successful scheme. The culture in Alresford is great; everyone wants to help the environment. I came from Portsmouth where it's totally different," she said.
"The jute bags from the chamber of commerce have been really successful; we can't keep up with the demand!"
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