A shop in Belvedere raised hundreds of pounds for charity over the last year in a really simple way.

Despite Belvedere News Food and Wine in Gilbert Road not employing 250 staff, the owners still decided to charge customers for plastic bags.

Amit Patel, a partner at the store, said: "We have been charging 5p for a bag since they announced the levy. We raise the money for charities and this has been the biggest amount raised."

In 2015 the government announced a levy on large stores with more than 200 employees requiring them to charge for plastic bags.

Mr Patel, who has been at the store since 1985, said: "Our customers don't mind that we charge because we explain to them where the money goes.

"One lady came in just to buy plastic bags when she learnt where the money we were raising goes."

For the last year and a half the store has been raising money for the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice, donating an impressive £500.

Mr Patel said: "The hospice is local to us , it is on our door step and everybody can be affected by the loss of a family or friends.

"One of our longest serving customers went to the hospice. It is important to support a charity in the local area."

Mr Patel encouraged other small stores to charge for plastic bags.

He said: "I think the government missed an opportunity, and customers more than happy paying if they know it is going to a good cause."

The hospice thanked the store for its fundraising efforts, saying: "Thank you to Belvedere News, Food and Wine who have donated a fantastic £500.00".