SHOPPERS making their way to supermarkets across South Lakeland had better remember to bring their own bag or they will have to pay 5p for the luxury.

On Monday (October 5) the Government introduced a mandatory 5p charge for plastic bags in a bid to reduce the 61,000 tonnes of waste generated by discarded carriers each year.

The levy is anticipated to generate around £73 million each year for good causes with government guidance suggesting retailers use the cash to benefit good causes.

The new legislation means shops with more than 250 employees will be required to charge 5p per single use bag while free bags will still be given to customers buying raw meat, poultry or fish, certain fresh food products such as potatoes or flowers plus take-away food and prescription medication.

A levy on bags has been in operation in Wales since 2011 and came into force in Scotland and Northern Ireland last year.

Booths has joined the likes of Morrisons and Asda in introducing the charge this week and will donate a portion from every 5p to The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

Martyn Jones, Morrisons' group corporate services director, said: “This is a big change for customers and we are working hard to make our shoppers aware of the charge and provide them with a choice of reusable bags.

"However, the charge will be a boost for local charities across the country and help them to deliver projects that will make a real difference in their communities.”

But regular shoppers at Marks and Spencer and Aldi will be familiar with the charge.

At Marks and Spencer Food Halls there has been a 75 per cent reduction in carrier bag use since its introduction in 2008.

From Monday they will donate money raised to hundreds of chosen charities whereas Aldi has been giving its plastic bag profits to the RSPB since July this year.

Although the levy has come under fire from some consumers, it has been welcomed by environmental charities such as Keep Britain Tidy which has campaigned for years for the introduction of the charge along with Break the Bag Habit coalition.

Each year, Keep Britain Tidy surveys the amount of litter in England and the 2013/14 report found plastic bag litter was found on more sites than either chewing gum or dog fouling.