Image copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES

Drinks giant Coca-Cola says any proposed plastic bottle deposit scheme should be UK-wide, MPs have heard.

Nick Brown, head of sustainability for Coca-Cola in Europe, said that in such a scheme the empty bottles become "a form of currency".

And the committee were told that if deposits varied between Scotland and England, people would have an incentive to cross borders to get more money.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove suggested a scheme earlier this month.

He said that it would boost recycling and in the process protect marine life from plastic waste.

The scheme involves consumers paying a small surcharge, which would be refunded when bottles are returned.

In the past Coca-Cola has opposed the idea, but in February reversed its position to support a planned scheme in Scotland.

• Michael Gove suggests plastic bottle deposit scheme
• Could 'reverse vending' cut plastic waste?

Mr Brown told the Commons Environmental Audit Committee: "We have seen that other countries which have a deposit scheme have improved recovery rates of packaging and reduced littering, which is important to us.