DISPOSABLE plastic bags are no longer available at the checkouts of Tesco Royston, as the store takes steps to become more environmentally friendly. From this week, shoppers will only be given disposable plastic bags if they specifically request them from

DISPOSABLE plastic bags are no longer available at the checkouts of Tesco Royston, as the store takes steps to become more environmentally friendly.

From this week, shoppers will only be given disposable plastic bags if they specifically request them from staff.

Linda Wiltshire, cash and services manager at Royston Tesco, said: "We want to help reduce plastic bags in landfill sites and protect the environment.

"Customers will still be able to get plastic bags if they ask for them, but we will only be displaying reusable bags for life," she said.

The move comes two months after North Hertfordshire District Council announced a three- point plan aimed at reducing the number of plastic bags in use in the district.

Cllr Lynda Needham, portfolio holder for waste and the environment, said at the time that she believed the plan was "a positive move, which we believe will get the support of retailers and customers alike".

In March, Somerfield supermarket in Royston began issuing "bags for life" in exchange for plastic bags.