JOHN Davenport, an organic vegetable grower at Flights Orchard Farm, Little Marcle, has finally acquired a prototype non-plastic food bag.

Made in India from corn starch and hemp it will decompose fully in the compost bin.

These are the first food-grade fully compostable bags that Mr Davenport has sourced, and they are suitable for keeping salad and other veg fresh and can be heat-sealed.

Mr Davenport said: "Stronger, clear bags which fit on our packing needs have now arrived and will replace our plastic bags.

"They are considerably more expensive than plastic ones, but as more growers and retailers commit to such ecological packaging the price will come down.”

Mr Davenport believes he is the first Ledbury grower to source these bags and is delighted to be using them.