The plastic carrier bag has become something of a symbol for the problems caused by plastic pollution. But according to the family of the man who created it, Sten Gustaf Thulin, his design was supposed to help the planet.

Ooh that means I can buy a sparkly, new but otherwise hard-to-justify replacement. I may consider offering someone cash to break it for me. Something is wrong with my eyes. Hang on, no, it is my display that has gone smeary. This is great news!

Clean-up devices that collect waste from the ocean surface won't solve the plastic pollution problem, a new study shows.