Banning plastic bags will be discussed at the Welsh assembly

Shoppers in Llandysilio, Pembrokeshire, will no longer be offered the bags at either the post office or bakery and instead be expected to bring their own.

Organisers, who say it will help recycling, will be handing out reusable canvas alternatives.

Banning plastic bags was the winner when people were asked to vote earlier this year on policies they would like the Welsh Assembly Government to adopt.

Modbury in Devon became one of the first places in the UK to introduce a voluntary ban on plastic bags when all 43 traders and shops in the market town agreed to stop stocking them.

Pembrokeshire councillor Huw George, who lives in Llandysilio, said: "We only have a small number of shops but we want to show everyone can do a little bit.

"When you are just picking up a paper, loaf of bread and bottle of milk I think it will work.

"Hopefully it will also encourage people to buy reusable bags for when they visit the supermarkets."

He said he hoped the campaign would shortly be extended to the nearby village of Maenclochog, which also has two shops as well as two garages.

Earlier this year a BBC Wales initiative called If I Ruled Wales invited people to submit ideas they wanted to be brought in as a law.

Banning plastic bags was one of three ideas shortlisted and was backed by more than half the 500 people who then voted for their favourite.