Mum-of-two Lyndsey Young found she was throwing so much food away because she did not know how long it had been opened she decided to do something about it.


She came up with fridge and freezer friendly stickers with dates that scratch off - an idea picked up by the Government's waste campaign, Wrap (Waste and Resources Action Programme).


She said: "I came up with the idea because I was constantly throwing away half used jars of food. It costs a lot of money but I wasn't prepared to take the risk with having two small children.


"Once you've opened a jar or packet the best-before-date becomes invalid. It can be very difficult to remember when something was opened, there is so much going on in the home especially if you have children. This is just a way to remember and help cut down on waste."


Wrap recently released figures showing on average every household in the country wastes £420 a year on food that could be eaten, rising to £610 for families with children.


It is estimated 1.3 million unopened yoghurt pots, 5,500 whole chickens and 440,000 ready meals are thrown away every day in the UK.


Mrs Young's product will be given to families at events organised by Wrap and both Melton Council and Lincolnshire Council are considering using it to help reduced waste.


For more information visit www.count-on-it.co.uk