A new re-usable bag for life especially designed for men is on sale in Crouch End from today. The Crouch End Project has produced 6,000 cloth clutch bags, big enough for a grocery shop and small enough to fold up and fit in a trouser pocket

Charlotte Newton

A new re-usable bag for life especially designed for men is on sale in Crouch End from today.

The Crouch End Project has produced 6,000 cloth clutch bags, big enough for a grocery shop and small enough to fold up and fit in a trouser pocket. The aim is to encourage more shoppers - in particular men - to ditch plastic bags.

Clare Richmond, coordinator of the Crouch End project, said: "This smaller bag is easier to carry. Some men told us they felt uncomfortable carrying a shoulder bag and we wanted to appeal to everyone.

"Ultimately, our aim is to reduce the number of throw-away bags."

Neil Dugard, development director of Budgens, said: "Many men don't like chucking a bag over their shoulder, so hopefully this may appeal to them. A lot of our customers are male so we're keen to include them in the bag-for-life scheme."

But male shoppers in Crouch End were divided over whether the shorter handles would persuade them to sack plastic bags.

"The design and the handles are fine but I think the text might put people off," said lighting designer David Kidd, 52, of Rectory Gardens in Hornsey.

Daniel Inglis, 29, a FedEx global manager, from Weston Park, Crouch End, said: "When I remember, I bring a re-useable cloth bag, but I don't really care about what it looks like. So I probably wouldn't buy one of these."

The lead singer of rock band Feeder was delighted to discover that a new line of eco-friendly shopping bags was on sale.

Grant Nicholas, 40, of Bourne Road, Crouch End, said: "I really like the style, and I've been trying to get a bag for life but couldn't find one. I think this bag will be more popular with men because shoulder bags are just too feminine for some guys. It's helping the environment too."

The new bags cost £1.95 and are available from 30 shops in Crouch End. Shopping bags with long handles are also on sale for £3.50.

o The Crouch End Project is offering a free bag to 10 Broadway readers. To enter the lucky dip, email info@crouchendproject. co.uk. There will be a late-night green shopping-themed event in Crouch End tonight, at which shoppers can go into any food retailer in Crouch End and taste local produce.

Hornsey Library is also showing the controversial film An Inconvenient Truth by the former US vice-president Al Gore from 7.30pm. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, the documentary discusses the consequences of our inertia in tackling greenhouse gas emissions and presents options on what can be done. Entry is free.

charlotte.newton@hamhigh.co.uk