WAITROSE has launched two shopping bags made out of 100 per cent British Wool.

The retailer has teamed up with entrepreneur Kim Stead to stock her twool bags made using wool from rare breed Whitefaced Dartmoor sheep from Devon.

She has spent three years developing the robust bags which provide an alternative to carrier bags.

"We’ve used fully traceable wool from our local Devon sheep making these bags a beacon of British rural craftsmanship," she said.

"We’ve worked closely with a Devon based textile designer and manufacturer, and used specialised spinning methods in Bradford – all of which have produced a practical, versatile product of which we are very proud."

The bags are fire-retardant and stain-proof but do not use a big chemical process.

"It’s the most up-to-the-minute technology called 'laser plasma technology', said Kim, "It only became available this year in the UK, which laser-treats the cloth by firing inert gases at it. It uses no chemicals but makes the cloth water repellent, fire retardant and stain resistant."

The project has been fully supported by the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) which promotes and sells British Wool on behalf of its 50,000 sheep farmers.

Tim Booth, BWMB marketing manager, said: "It was clear from the start Kim had a great idea and wanted to make it happen. We are always happy to give advice and support on our wool and it’s brilliant that the end result of our many conversations has been this very smart bag."

The bag, available in two sizes, is currently on sale in Waitrose's Belgravia, Gloucester Road, and Marleybone stores in London last week. Each bears a unique identity number and name of the store it is sold in. The large bag costs £25 and the shoulder bag £20.