A store is turning plastic into playground equipment with a new eco-friendly initiative.

M&S has installed recycling bins at its store in Bluewater, Dartford, alongside collection points at nearby schools.

It is one of just eight UK shops to pioneer the new scheme, which will be rolled out nationally by the end of this year.

Customers will be able to drop off plastic packaging which isn't recycled by the council, and would usually end up in landfill.

This includes black ready meal trays, crisp packets, sauce sachets and certain makeup containers.

Instead of being dumped, the rubbish will be turned into new store fittings, plus furniture and playground equipment for children.

The project has been launched in collaboration with Wastebuster, a social enterprise that educates children about how to create a more sustainable future.

Representatives from the non-profit organisation will visit schools to teach children the importance of reducing plastic waste.

Laura Fernandez, senior packaging technologist at M&S, said: "Customers often don’t know how best to recycle certain types of plastic or where it goes after being collected.

"We’re on a mission to provide a greater awareness of landfill avoidance and plastic recyclability, while helping our customers to give plastic a new purpose."

Cllr Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford council, said: "I think the generation coming through has a finely tuned sense of the needs of the planet.

"Initiatives like this, which teach young people about the importance of recycling, are really, really welcome. I think its a very good move from M&S."

Katy Newnham, director at Wastebuster, said: "Schools may only generate a small percentage of UK plastics, but they represent 100% of tomorrow’s population.

"By educating children to see how they can help care for the environment, we are empowering the next generation with the tools and mindset to shape a more sustainable future."