SHOPPERS in York have, quite literally, bags of enthusiasm when it comes to being environmentally- friendly.

By 8am yesterday, dozens of early birds were queuing up outside the Sainsbury's store at Monks Cross - to buy a reusable bag.

The supermarket giant had advised customers that it would be selling a limited number of Anya Hindmarch carrier bags - 20,000 across 450 Sainsbury's outlets - and that they would be available from 8am.

Sainsbury's said 30 bags - each priced at £5 - had been available for purchase at their Monks Cross branch.

The Diary understands that those bags had been snapped up by 8am, with several people leaving empty-handed, and presumably, minus the bags of enthusiasm they previously had.

A spokesman for Sainsbury's said people had been queuing since the early hours of the morning outside some stores in order to secure themselves a bag.

Sainsbury's had predicted that the bags - which were aimed at bringing the issue of reusable bags to the public consciousness - would sell out within minutes.

We asked one York enthusiast, who arrived at Sainsbury's Monks Cross at 8am only to find all the bags had gone, how she had become whipped up in this "green craze".

"I went along to the store at 8am, because I am a bagoholic, and I wanted to do my bit for the environment as well," she said.

"It's a fashionable bag - even the celebrities are carrying them.

"I was surprised and disappointed that all the bags had gone when I got there, but I wouldn't have camped outside the store overnight to get one."


Too soon to be the champion

THE relatively youthful Green Party candidate for Heslington, Peter Sanderson, was surprised to be asked to represent the elderly, should he be elected.

He received an invitation to act as York Older Person's Champion if he is voted in on May 3.

The role is currently filled by Coun Ruth Potter, who acts to raise the profile of older people in the city.

But the still sprightly Sanderson, who is 25 years old, mused: "The York Older People's Assembly defines an older person as being over 50.

"Perhaps I'll write back and tell them that I'll apply in another 25 years."

He previously earned a mention in The Diary for having the distinction of being the only candidate in the ward with a single-barrelled name.

His opposition includes Grace Fletcher-Hall, Julie Henniker-Heaton and Ceredig Jamieson-Ball.