The north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh has outlawed the use of coloured polythene bags, because it says it considers them to be a major source of environmental pollution.

The legislation, the first of its kind in the country, came into effect yesterday January 1st.

It also prohibits the littering of public places with polybags.

Under the new law police have the power of arrest without warrant and convicted offenders face up to one month in prison.