WHEN Southampton student Libby Russell saw her friend throw away a bag it sparked an idea to bring about change.

The 23-year-old Solent University fine arts student has now started an online petition to get a 5p charge on plastic carrier bags.

It received more than 300 signatures in only its first week.

Libby said: “When I saw my friend chuck away a bag she got given in Tesco for a sandwich, it just made me so annoyed – I thought what a waste.

“I thought why can’t England follow on like most of Europe and have a charge?

“My tutor suggested I set up this petition and it’s really snowballed in the last three days.

“There are so many carrier bags that get thrown away and it really annoys me.”

Libby, who also volunteers at the Art House Cafe in Above Bar Street, says she has always taken an interest in reducing waste.

To sign the petition visit epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40990.