A THRIFTY shopper has proved that you really can have a bag for life — by reusing the same plastic bag for 34 years.

    Martin McCaskie, 72, keeps a neatly folded Tesco plastic bag, made to commemorate the chain’s 50th birthday in 1981, in his coat pocket for emergencies.

    His family were unaware of the vintage keepsake until last week when he produced it at his daughter’s house to collect some magazines.

    McCaskie, from Mold, in north Wales, estimates that he has used the bag more than 2,000 times.

    The retired process technician, who is married to Cynthia, 70, said, “I can’t even remember which store it came from but it has served me well.

    “My motto is ‘waste not, want not.’ I always keep it folded in the pocket of my coat in case we ever need one.

    “It’s proved very handy since the charge came in for plastic bags in Wales four years ago, but even before then I would never throw away a plastic bag. I use it as and when it’s needed, probably about once a week.

    “You can’t put anything too heavy in it but it’s fine for groceries. It’s got a bit of a hole in it now but it still does the job. The bag is much thicker than the ones you get now.

    “I suppose I’m a bit of a hoarder. I keep lots of old carrier bags. I used to have one from a shop in Prague that dated back to the 1990s but it’s gone now.

    “This is definitely the oldest one I’ve got. I’ve had it nearly half my life. It all helps with the environment and recycling. I think the grandkids were pretty shocked when I took it out.

    “It’s really stood the test of time.” McCaskie’s bag came to light when he visited his grandson Ben Davies, 14, to collect some magazines.

    After he produced the bag, McCaskie’s daughter Helen Davies, 45, took a picture and posted it on her Facebook page.

    She said, “It’s got a small hole in it but he still insists on using it. You could never tell he’s had it for 34 years because it’s so neat.

    “I think it says something nice about people from that generation that they know the value of things and get a good use out of them.”

    (SD-Agencies)