"It's important that as many traders as possible sign up to this initiative to enable the whole town to benefit from a reduction in the number of single use bags that are distributed," says Teesdale District Council's Sustainable Environment Officer, Nadia Wetherell. "We appreciate that some of the larger stores are bound by specific corporate policies, but we are very pleased that Morrisons and Boyes have signed the pledge, along with a whole host of our town's valuable independent shops and stores."

The project is a joint initiative between Teesdale District Council, Barnard Castle Vision, County Durham Sustainability Project, and is also supported by Teesdale Marketing and the Local Strategic Partnership.

"I signed this pledge because I believe all of us should be thinking about the world we are going to leave our children to inherit. Money will be of little use to any of them, if the Earth is one big polluted mess, so I feel we should all be doing our bit to help turn around some of the problems we have caused," says Bob Jordan, from The Collector. "I'm sure there is lots more we can do without causing any real hardship to ourselves, but this is a good start, and I am very pleased that so many Barney businesses have signed up for it. It's always a good feeling to make a difference."

'My Barney Bag' will be available in the new year from outlets throughout the town. 

So far, the retailers who have pledged their support are:

- Approximately 9000 carrier bags are given out to shoppers in Barnard Castle each month

- Single use plastic carrier bags account for 5% of bin waste in Teesdale

- Scientists estimate it can take up to 1000 years for carrier bags to decompose.

- Funding for the project is through Teesdale District Council, Barnard Castle Vision, County Durham Sustainability Partnership Project Fund and Teesdale Local Strategic Partnership