EVERY week, a staggering 150 million plastic bags are used in the UK - and the vast majority of these are only used once.

Now, Craven District Council has joined forces with the York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership to try to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill.

The authority has agreed to sell reusable 100 per cent cotton bags for £1 each from Skipton and Settle town halls.

Coun Stephen Place, portfolio holder for protecting and enhancing the environment, said: "We know our residents are very conscious of the need to combat the ever-growing waste problem in the UK and recycle where they can.

"Plastic bags, however, cannot be recycled through our plastic collection facilities and the majority do end up in the landfill and can take years to disintegrate.

"Switching to reusable bags is an easy way for shoppers to help the environment."

The council is facing tough targets on reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill, and by 2010, 40 per cent of all household waste in Craven will have to be recycled.