A plea to people to buy fewer new clothes to help protect the world's environment is being made at a Great Big Green Week climate festival in Bradford on Avon this weekend.

Jane Jones, of Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon, launched the BOA Sewing Bee initiative to highlight the need to re-use and recycle old clothes.

She wants people to reduce the number of fashion-led clothes they buy new and then often discard within weeks or months.

Mrs Jones, 61, said: “The main aim of the BOA Sewing Bee was first and foremost to create awareness of how the fashion industry and our habits of buying new and often have a catastrophic impact on the environment.

“We have challenged people to hunt in their wardrobes and drawers for an item they no longer use and to turn it into something new and fabulous, something to wear or a unique home accessory. They can even unravel an old knitted item and crochet it into something totally different by reinventing it.

She added: “Little did I know how much interest the BoA Sewing Bee would generate, appealing to lots of people across all generations from novice to expert.

“The initiative was readily supported by displays in our Town Library and our charity shops, and I am so pleased to say the interest generated has proved beneficial to both these worthy charities.”

The BOA Sewing Bee is part of Bradford on Avon’s contribution to the Great Big Green Week, the country-wide celebration of action on climate change.

Events are taking place across the UK until Sunday in the lead up to the United Nations COP 26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow from November 1-12.

Bradford on Avon’s Climate Festival will take place on Saturday with activities in Westbury Gardens and at St Margaret’s Hall from 11am to 3pm.

Mrs Jones added: “I look forward to meeting you at St Margaret’s Hall where you will find lots of information and the chance to view our mini-exhibition of pictures and actual creations by our talented BOA Sewing Bees and maybe a few surprises as well.

“My hope is that the BOA Sewing Bee transcends the day’s event and a new generation of people will continue to reduce, reuse and recycle so that we can eliminate waste and protect our environment.”