A CHURCH in Whitchurch has become eco-friendly ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Conference later this month.

Ahead of the conference, being held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, St John's Church carried out a review into how best to make the church more environmentally friendly.

Using the Christian eco-charity A Rocha, the church highlighted several ways to become more eco-friendly.

A Rocha is a Christian charity, which works for the protection and restoration of the natural world, with an emphasis on supporting the Christian and church.

Helen Trigg, from the church, said that land around the church had been cultivated for wildlife as the first steps to becoming more environmentally concious.

She said: "St John's Church recently decided to become an eco-church.

"We have carried out an audit using the A Rocha eco-survey.

"This looks at all aspects of church life from buildings and land, to service content and lifestyle.

"We have chosen making the land around the church more insect, bird and people friendly, as our first course of action during the next few months."

The church will also be holding two services, later this month and in November, to highlight the work of COP26.

Helen added: "In One World Week there will be a special service at St John's Methodist church in Whitchurch, on Sunday 24th October at 10.30am, focusing on climate change and the environment.

"The theme of the service is 'Act now for our children's world.'

"During the service everyone will be making paper boats and writing their hopes and prayers for COP26 on them.

"Look out for them on November 6 when more boats will be made in the centre of Whitchurch, while the world's leaders are meeting in Glasgow.

"Do come along to the service on October 24, or join us on November 6, everyone is welcome."