Marks and Spencer has begun a pilot scheme at ten of its North-East stores with reusable plastic bags.

The aim is to give environmentally friendly customers an alternative to disposable plastic carrier bags.

The bags, which are made from hard-wearing woven material, will be available for the next six weeks at stores in Newcastle, Durham, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, South Shields, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar, Darlington and Bishop Auckland.

Depending on their success, the pilot may be extended to Marks and Spencer stores across the country.

Rowland Hill, sustainable development manager at Marks and Spencer, said: "The North-East has been a consistently good test-bed for us when we have trialled new innovations, and consumers in the area have also demonstrated a particular awareness of environmental issues."

Marks and Spencer's involvement follows a campaign launched by Durham County Council aimed at reducing the number of plastic carrier bags used unnecessarily by shoppers.

Durham County Councillor Joe Armstrong, said: "To have won the active involvement of one of the major household names in High Street shopping is tremendously encouraging."