MARKS & Spencer will be rolling out the green carpet when it unveils its first ever eco-friendly store.

The Bournemouth town centre shop will be the first ever "green" Marks & Spencer when it opens on October 4.

The installation of new systems and equipment, including new lobby entrances, will mean the store will use up to 25 per cent less energy.

It will be powered with green renewable energy, delivering a 92 per cent carbon dioxide saving, and will have a host of water-saving initiatives, including dual flush toilets and self-closing taps.

The store will also recycle and re-use up to 80 per cent of waste and key construction off-cuts and staff will have eco-friendly uniforms including fleeces made from recycled plastic bottles.

Environmentally-friendly construction materials have also been used in the refurbishment, including recyclable plastic shelving and the store will also implement a green travel plan for suppliers, staff and customers.

Richard Gillies, director of store design, development and procurement at Marks and Spencer, said: "Making our existing stores eco-efficient is a much bigger challenge for us compared to building a brand new green' store from scratch.

"Converting Bournemouth, which is a 70-year-old building, into our first ever green' store is a huge undertaking.

"However, we're confident that if our work in this store is a success, we will be able to carry out eco-conversions at many of our other existing stores in the future."