A HEALTH food business owner is playing his part in improving the state of the planet after he eliminated plastic bags.

Mike Barker, who runs the Health Warehouse, in Post House Wynd, Darlington, gave away his final plastic bag last week.

He decided to stop using the bags after working how many he gave away last year and because customers had started using their own.

He said: "The idea is to reduce the number of plastic bags that are in circulation. Last year I worked out that we gave away 30,000 plastic bags in my shop alone. That is 30,000 too many.

"This is an important current issue. Supermarkets are really only giving this lip service to it. I think it is up to small businesses to take a lead on this. Customers will have to bring their own in or we can sell them a life-long bag."

Mr Barker has found five types of alternative bags, including a cotton bag, a biodegradable and recyclable polyethylene bag, a paper bag and a biodegradable plastic bag.

In July, traders in Darlington's indoor market will sell eco bags, one of which Mr Barker will also stock.

He said he planned to phase out biodegradable bags once customers were familiar with his new approach.

He added his customers had already started to use their own bags.

Mr Barker said: "It is something people expect you to do now especially if you are in the green industry like me."

As well as the town's indoor market, Darlington Borough Council is planning a climate change policy to tackle the issue.

The council climate change policy will look at reducing waste and electric use, and setting up a staff travel plan.

A council spokeswoman said: "From July, shoppers in the indoor market will be able to buy two different eco bags, designed by residents, for £1 each.

"The indoor market has always tried to be environmentally-friendly. It produces almost no landfill waste because of its high recycling rates, and by encouraging customers to use the new bags for life, traders will be working towards becoming carrier-bag free."