Sir David, who has recently celebrated more than 50 years in television and radio, lent his support to the campaign during his visit last week to Rutland Water.

Sir David said: "I'm happy to endorse the campaign; in an ideal world there would be less of these bags littering up our lives."

He is not the only person who is backing the call – traders in the area are getting behind the bid.

Stamford trader and member of the Independent Traders' Association Jenny Fitzpatrick is 100 per cent behind the campaign.

Jenny is not only reducing the use of carrier bags in her shop, The Fine Foods Store, but is going to start asking shoppers for donations for charity for plastic bags to pass on to an environmental charity.

Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips in Market Deeping is also looking to go green by soon swapping their plastic bags for paper ones.

One of the business directors Paul Linford says it already recycles one-third of its rubbish and uses energy efficient friers.

He said: "It is part of our responsibility to the planet and to the community."

Stamford's Oxfam branch is hoping to be one of the first shops in the town to be carrier-bag free.

Store manager Maggie Bentley, a 54-year-old former teacher, has not ordered any since the summer.

Maggie, of Melbourn Road, Stamford, said: "As soon as these bags have gone we will be carrier bag free and that is Oxfam's policy."

Marks & Spencer in Stamford will be charging for plastic bags from Thursday and has been offering each customer a free bag for life this month.

Bourne Chamber of Trade will be giving out 1,000 free "Bourne to be Green" bags to shoppers on tomorrow from a stall in the Burghley Arcade along with six shops.

Secretary Tara Thorpe said that the group has also organised banners in car parks reminding people to take re-useable bags shopping.

Jane Kingman-Pauley, mayor of Bourne, said: "I obviously recycle and I do everything I can to go green.

"On my market stall I still use brown paper bags and people donate carrier bags to us. I've also noticed a lot more people bringing their own bags. I think the Mercury's campaign is an excellent idea."

Rutland Friends of the Earth has been selling jute and calico bags for £1 or less in Oakham market. They have also given bags for use at Rutland Bird Centre and Baines Bakery in Uppingham.

Gabrielle Maughan, co-ordinator of Rutland Friends of the Earth, said: "The tide has turned a bit – people are beginning to recognise sustainable ways of living are essential if we are going to survive on this planet."