A supermarket summit will be held this summer to demand that the biggest distributors of plastic bags take action to cut waste.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Brian Oxley will ask the major retailers what extra they will be doing to cut the use of the carriers.

Councillor Oxley said: "Supermarkets need to make the alternatives to plastic bags more available and they could really do more promoting them.

"It really needs a push from the supermarkets to show what is available and the alternatives should be at the most competitive prices."

A spokeswoman for the council said the summit will hold supermarkets to account and see what extra they can do for Brighton and Hove, given the city's commitment and location.

Last October the council launched a bid to rid Brighton and Hove of plastic bags.

This followed a move in July 2006 which confirmed the council's support for introducing a levy on plastic shopping bags.

In the UK alone, shoppers are issued with more than 13 billion bags every year, or 220 per person.

A person uses a plastic carrier bag on average for only 12 minutes.

Marks and Spencer revealed earlier this month a new 5p charge for every food carrier bag given out by its stores from May 6.

The cost aims to reduce demand, with all profits going to charity.

In Brighton and Hove, Asda has also moved to cut the use of plastic bags by not handing them out automatically at the check out.

The council says that its Clean City, Clean Sea campaign has also helped to change people's shopping habits and switch to reusable bags.

The scheme has the support of dozens of city businesses, including Open Spaces in Trafalgar Street.

The store is giving away 100 of the popular North Laine reusable shopping bags, which normally cost £2.50.

The Clean City, Clean Sea project is part of a campaign which aims to eliminate excessive packaging across the city.

Councillor Maria Caulfield, of the council's sustainability commission, said: "I am delighted that Open Spaces is supporting our plastic bag free week, and encouraging customers to ditch plastic bags in favour of a bag for life.

"Every bag for life can save up to 1,000 plastic bags during its life time, so if we all carried one, the number would run into millions."

What the big four supermarkets are already doing?

Asda does not hand out plastic bags automatically in Brighton and Hove. The supermarket wants customers to reuse bags and use recycling bins for customers to dispose of old carriers.

Tesco is encouraging consumers to re-use bags by handing out points on its green clubcard scheme. It has introduced degradable bags, although this has been dismissed by many as the holders still go to landfill.

Sainsbury's is raising awareness of the issue and promoting 'bags for life'. It has also reduced the amount of plastic used in the bags, saving 6,500 tonnes of plastic every year.

Morrison's says it is focusing on issuing bags if customers want them. Cardboard boxes are also available.

Have you ditched plastic bags for a 'bag for life'? Tell us your stories below.