Bag it in jute for the best solution

Now that the town has rid itself of pesky plastic carriers, shoppers can turn to reusable shopping bags that are sturdy enough to last for years and can be thrown on the compost heap when they finally fall apart. Jute is just the job for this and it is environmentally friendly to produce, requiring no irrigation or chemical additives.

So if you're Christmas shopping in Hay-on-Wye, ask the first retailer you visit if they are selling jute bags.

David Gould, Canby Ltd., Park End Street, Oxford.