Almost £3,000 has been raised for a wildlife charity by a brewer through the introduction of a charge for use of carrier bags.

Southwold brewer Adnams introduced the 5p charge in June, last year, which has led to a reduction in the number of plastic bags issued.

A total of £2,900 has been raised to assist Suffolk Wildlife Trust in safeguarding the region's wildlife and countryside.

These much-needed funds have been put towards several important projects on the nearby Hen Reedbeds Nature Reserve, which provides homes and feeding grounds for key bird species such as the bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit as well as for mammals such as otter and water vole.

A portion of the money raised from the carrier bag charge will, also, fund a research project aiming to monitor the aquatic invertebrate population in the eastern part of the reserve.

Ben Orchard, environmental sustainability manager at Adnams, said: 'We are delighted that our carrier bag charge is delivering as we intended.

'The success of the charge comes from both, reducing the amount of carrier bags we sell by nearly half and by being able to give almost £3,000 to support a project right on our doorstep and so close to our own values. We are tackling both waste and biodiversity issues which play a large role in our ever evolving 'Sustainability Story' at Adnams.'

Finally, it is hoped the money raised will help pay for some new animals on the reserve, such as cattle; whose grazing behaviours will help manage the vegetation in the reedbeds and prevent it reverting to woodland.

For further information visit www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Are you raising money for charity? Tell The Journal by calling 01502 525820 or email lowestoft.journal@archant.co.uk