A new compostable carrier bag is being rolled out across Co-op 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."