The health and beauty giant has vowed to replace plastic bags across its 2,485-strong store estate with unbleached brown paper bags by early 2020, a move the retailer said will remove over 900 tonnes of plastic from Boots store operations per year.

Boots will continue to charge shoppers up to 10p for store paper carrier bags, with all profits donated to long-term charity partner BBC Children in Need.

Senior vice president and UK managing director Seb James said: “Plastic waste is undoubtedly one of the most important issues around the world today with TV shows like Blue Planet highlighting the effects of plastic pollution.