A new five pence charge for plastic bags which comes into force today is set to generate more than £70 million for good causes.

Supermarkets plan to donate profits from the levy to charity.

The Charities Aid Foundation has been supporting retailers with their plans on how to donate the funds.

Government estimates suggest the charge in England will raise around £73 million per year for good causes.

Shops with 250 or more employees will be required to charge 5p per single use bag.

Reports suggest that a number of small shops will also introduce a fee for carrier bags.

The levy is being introduced to reduce the 61,000 tonnes of waste generated by discarded carriers each year.

Morrisons plans to support good causes through the Morrisons Foundation and their national charity partner Sue Ryder.

Marks & Spencer introduced a 5p charge for every standard food carrier bag in 2008.

This has resulted in a 75 per cent reduction in carrier bag use in their food halls.

The company will donate money raised from the new levy to hundreds of local charities and community causes.

Sainsbury’s will give profits from the sale of a new, thicker reusable 5p bag to local charities and good causes.