A NEW compostable carrier bag is being rolled out across Co-operative retail stores across Dorset.

The new, full size shopping bag is made out of corn starch and will replace the smaller compostable bags previously offered in 44 of Southern Co-op's retail stores on the south coast.

The environmentally-friendly bag is being offered in 75 stores where the local authority collects household food waste recycling. The bags are also designed to be used as a food waste caddy liner and will be sold at 5p each - cheaper than most food waste liners sold in rolls.

The new bags will be offered in Southern Co-op stores in Blandford Forum; Shaftesbury; Sturminster Newton; Weymouth; Wimborne and Verwood.

Gemma Lacey, director of sustainability and communications, said: "Ultimately we want to encourage our customers to reuse bags they already own and move away from single-use shoppers altogether but we are a convenience store so understand this is not always practical.

"We hope this new bag will prevent more plastic from ending up in landfill - this echoes our existing efforts to prevent waste and use resources more wisely. As part of the commitment to remove all single-use plastic from Co-op own-brand products, three out of four Co-op branded products are now widely recyclable."