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Plastic drinking straws will be banned in a government push to protect marine life - and it could happen as soon as THIS year.

It follows research which shows Britain throws away 8.5 billion plastic straws every year.

The Marine Conservation Society said about 70 percent of litter on beaches was made of plastic with items such as straws, cups and stirrers making up over 20 percent of the litter.

And today, the Prime Minister, alongside Environment Secretary Michael Gove, will commit to a total ban on the sale of single use plastic straws, subject to a consultation to take place later this year.

Mr Gove told the BBC this morning: "Hopefully we’ll have a ban in place by the end of the year."

Mrs May has also called on Commonwealth leaders, gathering in London this week, to follow Britain’s lead and joint the fight to protect wildlife in our seas and oceans.

The Prime Minister announced a new £61.4 million fund to help develop new ways of cleaning up, and preventing, plastic waste

Mrs May said: “Plastic waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world, which is why protecting the marine environment is central to our agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“The UK government is a world leader on this issue, and the British public have shown passion and energy embracing our plastic bag charge and microbead ban, and today we have put forward ambitious plans to further reduce plastic waste from straws, stirrers and cotton buds.

“Alongside our domestic action, this week we are rallying Commonwealth countries to join us in the fight against marine plastics, with £61.4million funding for global research and to improve waste management in developing countries.

“The Commonwealth is a unique organisation, with a huge diversity of wildlife, environments and coastlines.

"Together we can effect real change so that future generations can enjoy a natural environment that is healthier than we currently find it.”

(Image: PA)

Ministers say they will work with industry to develop environmentally friendly alternatives to the single-use plastics and ensure businesses have enough time to adapt.

But the Government has already committed to wiping out the use of avoidable plastics.

An exemption has been proposed for the use of straws for medical purposes.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “Single-use plastics are a scourge on our seas and lethal to our precious environment and wildlife so it is vital we act now.

“We have already banned harmful microbeads and cut plastic bag use, and now we want to take action on straws, stirrers and cotton buds to help protect our marine life.

“We’ve already seen a number of retailers, bars and restaurants stepping up to the plate and cutting plastic use, however it’s only through government, businesses and the public working together that we will protect our environment for the next generation – we all have a role to play in turning the tide on plastic.”

(Image: PA)

Fast food giant McDonalds last month committed to phasing out plastic straws in its British restaurants, replacing them with bio-degradable alternatives.

And take-away app Deliveroo revealed they had given away 150,000 bio-degradable straws to restaurants across the country in the last month, to encourage them to make the switch.

The firm also announced 91% of their orders are now sent out without plastic cutlery, after they asked customers to opt-in to receive them.

Deliveroo founder Will Shu said: “This is testament to everyone’s commitment - from customers to restaurants - who want to cut waste and increase the sustainability of the amazing meals we all love.”