The Fred Archer Way store has introduced special cycle trailers, equipped with large canvas shopping bags, in a bid to stop people using cars when they make a trip to the supermarket.

It is the first Waitrose branch in Suffolk to launch the scheme, which started on Thursday.

Newmarket branch manager Jim Woolf said he was delighted to be introducing the free trailers and hoped the scheme would encourage shoppers to use alternative methods of transport.

"We are confident the trailers will be well received here as many of our customers are already environmentally aware and engage in other initiatives, such as our bag for life scheme," he said.

"Shoppers using them will be playing a positive role in the environment, not to mention saving fuel and transport costs."

Customers can register for the scheme at the shop's welcome desk, where a special bracket will be attached beneath their bicycle saddle which allows them to clip the trailer on to their bike.

The trailers can be reserved before people begin their shopping and collected before leaving the branch.

Designated cycle spaces have also been made for customers to park their bikes outside the store.

They will be allowed to keep the trailers for up to three days.

Around 26 Waitrose stores across the country will have introduced the scheme by the end of February.