The overwhelming majority of people in the North-East support the introduction of a plastic-free aisle in supermarkets

The overwhelming backing for the introduction of a supermarket aisle featuring only products that are free of plastic packaging was revealed in a poll of 2,000 people for environmental campaign group A Plastic Planet.

Some 91 per cent supported the plastic-free aisle idea, while four out of five

(81 per cent) were concerned about the amount of plastic packaging thrown away in the UK, the survey by Populus showed.

Support for the aisle of goods that are free of plastic packaging was highest among people over 65, with 94 per cent backing _ in the North-East 96 per cent of those quizzed were in favour of the idea.

The survey findings are revealed in the wake of scientific research which found more than eight billion tonnes of plastic has been produced since the early 1950s and most of it now lies buried in landfills or litters the oceans and countryside.

A Plastic Planet co-founder Sian Sutherland said: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Great British public wants a fresh alternative to goods laden with plastic packaging. Too much of our plastic waste ends up in oceans and landfill.Consumer demand for products that generate less plastic waste is higher than ever.”