GILLIAN BELL

They are the ultimate bag ladies.

Some 20,000, many of whom slept rough, lined up to buy the hottest new accessory yesterday - a reusable Sainsbury's carrier bag.

But it is not just any old supermarket bag.

The £5 cream canvas eco carrier, emblazoned with the logo I'm not a plastic bag'', was designed by Anya Hindmarch and became a must-have for fashionistas after being sported by numerous celebrities.

The US editor of Vanity Fair, Graydon Carter, helped create its chic status when he distributed it at his Oscars party in February.

Reese Witherspoon, Lily Allen and Alicia Silverstone have all since been seen clutching the bag.

Sainbury's London stores, which had taken in considerably more than the average 30 bags allocated to others, sold out within an hour of its 8am launch yesterday. But the consignment sent to 19 of Sainsbury's Scottish stores sold out in minutes.

Anya Hindmarch spokeswoman Kate Southworth said she was "completely overwhelmed" by the response to the carriers.

She added: "We hope that we have achieved our aim, which was to use our influence in a positive way - to make people think about what they're doing and be more responsible."

Melanie Etches, spokeswoman for Sainsbury's, said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the response to the I am not a plastic bag' bags in Scotland.

"Our customers have been so passionate about our new reusable bag that some have been queuing since midnight last night.

"They tell us that they are passionate about reusing their bags which is why we have launched a number of reusable bags including the Anya Hindmarch bag."

Viv Green, a store trainer at the Sainsbury's branch in Drumchapel, Glasgow, said some people slept in sleeping bags outside for their chance to purchase one of the 30 eco-bags. Staff handed out numbered tickets on a first come-first served basis leaving dozens empty-handed.

Jill Coyle, 41, of Glasgow, queued but was unsuccessful in her attempt to buy the bag at the Partick branch.

She said: "I arrived at about 7.50 and there was already a queue half the length of the store.

"My daughter joined the queue initially and was told by a lady that she had just been given the last ticket and we wouldn't get one.

"My sister Lucy, who lives in Sussex, managed to get one this morning.

"She said my other sister, who lives near her, was so excited she asked if she could come round just to see it."

Sainsbury's employee Andrea Graham, 25, of Drumchapel, was another one of the lucky ones.

She finished work at midnight and considered joining the queue then, but decided to return early in the morning as it was raining.

When she got back at 6.15am she joined the queue in 25th place. She said: "I didn't have to wait long. I bought it when the store opened at eight. I absolutely love it.

"I was walking along the street with it today when a lady, who must have been about 60, stopped me and said she loved it. I couldn't believe it.

"I didn't even know anything about them till I heard people talking in Sainsbury's the other day."

The limited edition bags are now being sold on eBay for up to £200.

Meanwhile, Sainsbury's is to ban disposable plastic bags tomorrow. During the 24-hour ban customers will be given 10p reusable bags for free.