AN East Dorset resident fed up of the plastic packaging in her kitchen cupboards has set up a mobile shop inspired by her great great grandfather.

Jo Anderson, 44, from Alderholt, has set up her own business in a bid to make plastic-free shopping more affordable and accessible to people on a budget.

The mum-of-two said she is a dedicated recycler and conservationist, and has been a passionate supporter of environmental issues since childhood.

After becoming frustrated with the amount of plastic packaging in her own kitchen cupboards, Jo felt inspired to do something about it and launched Gardener’s Zero Waste.

Jo said: “As a family of four, we get through a lot of pasta and rice which all came in plastic, and although we swapped tea bags for loose leaf tea, the tea leaves came in a foil bag that couldn’t be recycled.”

She added: “I couldn’t find anywhere locally that sold everything I wanted unpackaged, so I decided to set up my own business.”

Gardener’s Zero Waste is named after Jo’s great great grandfather William Gardner, who owned a grocery shop more than 100 years ago.

The shop offers a mix of conventionally produced and organic wholefoods, environmentally friendly detergents, toiletries and household products.

Items include eco-friendly toilet roll, plastic-free toilet brushes and bamboo baby feeding spoons.

Customers take along their own containers so they can stock up on their essential items which means they will only need to pay for what they need.

Gardener’s Zero Waste visits Ringwood Market between 8am and 1pm and The Churchill Arms in Alderholt between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesdays, Harlees Fish and Chips in Verwood from 9am until 11am on Thursdays and Wimborne Market between 7.30am and 1pm on Saturdays.

For more information, visit gardnerszerowaste.co.uk