Green campaigners in Cumbria say a common sense approach is needed when it comes to use-by dates, in a bid to stop massive amounts of food being wasted each year.

New proposals call for the dates to be scrapped on products such as milk and consumers instead encouraged to use the 'smell test' to decide whether or not it is still drinkable.

Cumbrian environmentalists are backing the calls, voiced by waste reduction charity Wrap after it found the dates were being increasingly used on products that might not need them - including milk, cheese and yoghurts.

Mark Lloyd, director of Sustainable Carlisle, said: "It's a really good idea. Let people use their common sense. The same with vegetables. You can tell when they are past their best."

He added that for many of these products, there are no real ill effects from eating them but accepted that on some higher risk items, like meat and fish, the use-by dates may still be justified.

He added: "This would be a really good move. There's a huge problem with food waste, which is awful when you think there are so many people using foodbanks. It needs to be tackled."

Wrap is holding discussions with the dairy industry, Food Standards Agency and government officials about its proposals to scrap use-by dates. It suggests a 'best before' date may be more appropriate and hopes new guidance could be issued by the end of the year.

It believes the plan could save more than 100 million pints of milk being wasted each year as many consumers automatically throw out cartons after the date, even though it is still drinkable.

Heather Tipler, who is involved with Sustainable Brampton and organises local farmers markets, believes consumers should be encouraged to make their own decisions about food and drink.

"Personally, I don't like use by dates. I'd rather see people being aware of how long ingredients can be kept safely and becoming more knowledgeable. That's why I am a strong supporter of local produce and farmers market, because you know exactly where it has come from and can talk to the producer or grower at the stall.

"Use-by dates make people rely too much on someone else telling them what to eat and what not to eat. People then stop using their own initiative," she added.

*Carlisle Farmers' Market is holding its first Saturday market in the city centre this weekend, from 9.30am until 3.30pm.