A farm shop is making changes to become more eco-friendly and sustainable.

Haywards Farm Shop in Tonbridge recently introduced reusable meat containers, glass milk bottles, a weigh before you buy scheme and brown paper carrier bags.

Manager Chris Beatty, 28, said: "These may seem like small steps but we serve quite a few customers a day so in time this will have an effect."

10 small changes you can make to be more eco-friendly...

1. Make smaller portions - the average UK household loses £470 from throwing away food each year, waste less and save money

2. Wrap your presents in old newspaper and magazines - this is not only kind to the environment but looks pretty cool too

3. Make sure you eat foods that are in season - in April you can go for carrots, spring onions and kale

4. Turn the tap off when you are brushing your teeth - it may not seem like much but saving any water helps the planet

5. Buy a plant for your home - they can remove toxins from the air and improve health

6. Eat less meat - no need to go full veggie if you cannot resist a juicy steak or bacon buttie - just try and have a couple of days off a week

7. Go local - try buying from local farmers or farmers' markets at least once a month

8. Buy one less new thing a month - the more stuff we accumulate, the more that ends up in landfill

9. Revamp leftovers - instead of throwing food away, challenge yourself to create a tasty dish out of what is left

10. Ask questions - do not be afraid to ask where things are from when you are deciding what the buy for your tea

At Haywards Farm Shop the weighing scales were introduced in November, so customers can pack their own reusable bags before paying at the till.

Durable plastic meat containers were brought in last month to encourage people to return with the tubs when they next fancy some outdoor-reared pork sausages.

Going back to old school, the shop is also now selling glass milk bottles for 30p plus a 50p deposit.

Mr Beatty, who has run the farm shop on Tonbridge Road since it opened in 2016, said: "We did not want to make things too expensive because we want to encourage people to use them more."

Additionally, the staff try to seek produce from within a 15 mile radius.

"There are obviously some things that have to be imported like bananas, but anything we can get locally, we do."

Just to name a few, the eggs are supplied by several Meopham farms, flavoured gin by Greensand Ridge Distillery, just half a mile away, and as summer approaches, strawberries by Hugh Lowe Farms.

"It is seasonal but at some points about 70% of our stock is locally sourced. A lot of the products also have stories behind them, which is a good talking point for around the dinner table."

Winning 'best local farm' at the Kent Life Food and Drink Awards 2018, the shop and its 14 staff have already been recognised by customers for their eco-friendly approach to business, but hope to continue improving.

Set within Charcott Holme farm, the shop sells home-grown walnuts, plums, honey and has lambs on site too.

"The honey is going down a treat and we hope to double from three to six hives within the next year."

Currently renovating an outside area, Mr Beatty, who lives on the farm with his partner, Michelle Bowen, plans to open a horse box coffee shop and maybe even build a cafe.

Haywards Farm Shop is a branch off from Haywards Butchers, which has been providing high quality meat to Tonbridge for 27 years.

The company was founded by the Hayward family, and is currently run by Spencer Hayward.