Residents in and around Peasedown St John are being given the opportunity to learn new skills at a Community Skills Fair on April 4.

The fair is being organised by the Peasedown Area Transition group which will run workshops on a variety of subjects including how to make bird boxes, green household cleaning products and soap.

Member and local Councillor Nathan Hartley said: "The transition group is very much about encouraging people to live more sustainable lifestyles and generally be more self-sufficient.

"The recent heavy snowfall has shown us we can't always rely on the use of our cars or supermarkets having food on the shelves – we need to be more self-dependent.

"This community skills fair is primary about just that, giving people the opportunity to learn useful skills for the future."

The two-hour event will be held at Beacon Hall from 10am to noon on Saturday, April 4. Visitors will also have the chance to find out about solar energy, take part in a plant swap and even learn about the life of wild bees.

The group is part of a fast growing network of communities coming together to address the challenges of diminishing oil supplies and climate change.

The aim of the Transition Initiative is to build a community that brings people together and uses fewer resources. For more details visit www.tinyurl.com/peasedown-area-transition.