CAMPAIGNERS fighting littering in Dorset have welcomed government plans to charge for plastic bags – one of the county’s most commonly littered items.

The Dorset Campaign Against Litter has hailed the expected 5p per bag charge, set to come in next year, as “good news for our countryside, towns and environment overall”.

The spokesman added: “They frequently crop up during litter picks and can cause serious harm to animals and sea creatures.”

Speaking at the campaign group’s meeting last week Marten Gregory of the Dorset Waste Partnership added his endorsement.

“Anything which reduces the amount we take to landfill has got to be a positive step,” he added.