M&S has introduced a 5p charge for each of its carrier bags in a bid to save the environment.

Marks and Spencer (M&S) is to start charging customers 5p for its plastic food carrier bags from the beginning of May in an effort to help the environment.

Currently, M&S customers use around 400 million bags every year. So far, its customers in Northern Ireland and the South West of England – where a pilot of the scheme has been carried out – have cut their carrier bag usage by 70%, and have raised over £80,000 by doing so.

All monies raised will go to Groundwork, an environmental charity that creates greener areas within neighbourhoods, such as parks and communal spaces.

Sir Stuart Rose, Chief Executive of M&S, said: “This move lies at the heart of our 100-point eco plan, Plan A. We want to make it easy for our customers to do their bit to help the environment and our trials have shown us that they want to take action.

“Just imagine if M&S customers right across the UK cut the number of food bags they use by 70% – that’s over 280 million bags they’d be saving every year. On top of this, our customers will be raising valuable funds to go to our partner charity, Groundwork.”

UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has written in the Daily Mail newspaper of his support of the campaign, and has insisted that other retailers follow suit: “I am convinced we need to act – and the time to act is now. I have already made clear that over time we should aim to eliminate the single-use plastic bag altogether.

“And I want to make clear that if Government compulsion is needed to make the change, we will take the necessary steps. We do not take such steps lightly – but the damage that single-use plastic bags inflict on the environment is such that strong action must be taken.”

The scheme will be rolled out nationally in all M&S food stores from Tuesday 6 May.