Morrisons are set to trial reusable 20p paper bags and raise the price of plastic ones in some of its stores.

The supermarket giant is now charging 15p, instead of 10p, for the cheapest versions and testing out new paper grocery bags that’ll cost 20p.

Their hope is that customers will use fewer plastic bags, as environment secretary Michael Gove set up a consultation on hiking the cost of plastic bags in England.

Morrisons’ new initiative will last eight weeks in stores across the country.

Andy Atkinson, their group customer and marketing director, said: “These new paper bags do exactly the same job as standard plastic carrier bags.

“They are tough, reusable and can help keep a large amount of plastic out of the environment.”

But there are criticisms of the paper bag as some feel they come with their own problems as well.

However, Julian Kirby, waste and resources campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: “We welcome this – especially if they scale up from a trial.

“What stands out is that the bags are designed to be reused and will be less resource intensive to produce than the heavier duty tote bags and fully recyclable.

“It would be better still if they were made from recycled material themselves.”

The bags, which were brought in due to consumer demand, will initially be available in eight of Morrisons’ 493 stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Gibraltar.