TWO mothers have come up with a handy way to shop and help the environment.

Honley mums Claire Peto Cook and Hanny Wadsworth have created a stylish shopping bag within a bag.

The FootprintBag, which can be fitted into a handbag, contains eight high-tech reusable bags within one compact pack.

Companies such as Marks and Spencer have already shown an interest in buying the product.

Also, former Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Rachel Elnaugh is mentoring the mothers in a bid to get the product in the shops.

Claire, 39, a mum-of-two, said: “We’re just two mums who came up with this idea, did a lot of talking and then decided to go for it.

“Using plastic bags has become such a big issue and I often find them such a trial when you go shopping.

“We were already taking reusable bags for our weekly supermarket shop.

“However, we were frustrated by the lack of choice on the market and car boots full of various bulky reusable bags.

“When Hebden Bridge became a plastic bag-free town we took our inspiration from that and wondered what the solution could be.

“After quite a few design sessions, attempts on the sewing machine and trial and error we came up with the product we now have.

“I’ve had people stop me in the supermarket and ask where I got it from, so I think the demand is out there.”

The entrepreneurs met makers and found a supplier for the FootprintBag.

It has since been put into production and the two women are meeting bigwigs at national supermarket chains.

Hanny, 29, said: “We have our fingers crossed that it will take off and people like what we have done.

“I think it is a brilliant product and I am proud of what we’ve achieved so far.

“It is so useful when we go out shopping and saves on having to carry round lots of plastic bags every time.”

They formed the business last November and have worked through giving birth and a pregnancy.

Claire is on maternity leave from British Airways, where she works as cabin crew, along with husband Jon Eastwell. She has two children, Archie, four, and Violet.

Hanny, originally from Germany, is married to former Huddersfield Town player Ian Wadsworh.

She has one son, Ben, four, and is a month away from giving birth to her second child.

The packs are available with eight shoulder-bags and also contain a trolley coin.

Over the coming months they will introduce a second pack which contains four and six bags.

They are hopeful it will soon be stocked in a national chain as well as local shops. The FootprintBags are available to buy online at www.footprintbag.com