Washing our clothes is set to get a lot more eco-friendly thanks to a new invention developed at Nottingham Trent University.

Researchers there have created a hollow plastic container, which is filled with water to stop washing machines from vibrating during spin cycles.

45,000 Tonnes of CO2 produced in the UK every year to transport concrete blocks used in washing machines

Currently manufacturers use concrete blocks weighing more than 25kg, which sit at the top of washing machines to stop them shaking. The creation and transportation of the concrete produces almost 45,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

The new plastic container weighs just 3kg when unfilled and is thought to be just as effective as the concrete block when filled with water.

Around 3.5 million washing machines are sold every year in the UK. Credit: Nottingham Trent University