CLACKMANNANSHIRE MSP Keith Brown has welcomed news that single use carrier bag usage has dropped by 650 million since the 5p charge came into effect 12 months ago.

Data from major grocery retailers indicate a reduction in bag use of around 80 per cent since October 20, 2014 – equivalent to at least 650 million fewer bags being handed out annually compared to ‘business as usual’ in previous years – with funds of around £6.7 million being donated to good causes as a result of the charge.

Mr Brown said: “The carrier bag levy has been a huge success, with the number of bags being issued in Scotland dropping dramatically and millions of pounds being raised for good causes as a result of the charge.

“It’s now becoming second nature to shoppers to reuse their carrier bags and hopefully to think more about our impact on the environment.

"I am confident that Scotland is going to go from strength to strength in its bid to tidy up our streets and beaches, where litter has been a highly visible problem in the past.”