NINE Aldi stores in Bolton will be part of a Greater Manchester trial of paper carrier bags.

From July shoppers will have to option of a 19p paper carrier strong enough to carry 11kg of groceries.

It is hoped that if the trial takes off it will help save up to 1,300 tonnes of plastic each year in the UK.

Fritz Walleczek, MD of corporate responsibility at Aldi, said: "Reducing the amount of plastic we produce is fundamental to our commitment to being a sustainable and environmentally responsible business.

"This trial will enable us to work with shoppers in Greater Manchester to identify what works for them so that we can find the best long-term solution.

“Cutting waste is part of Aldi’s DNA and we are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental impact.

"This new trial is one of the biggest we have ever launched because we want our customers in to be involved and help us make the right decision for them and the environment."

Later this summer, customers in Greater Manchester will also be able to choose from even more sustainable options when the supermarket launches two further bags which include a new reusable bag made entirely from Aldi back of store waste, as well as a reusable cotton alternative.

At the end of the trial, the option most popular with customers will be selected to roll out across the UK and offered alongside Aldi’s other reusable bags.

The supermarket has also pledged to remove difficult to recycle packaging, including expanded polystyrene, PVC and non-detectable black plastic, from its core food range by the end of 2020.

It is also aiming to reduce plastic packaging by 25 per cent by the end of 2023.