Hundreds of people have taken part in the first Climate Emergency event to help shape a strategy for the county - and there are plenty more opportunities to have your say.

The drop-in event in the Glass Box at Taunton Library is the first of four in districts across Somerset, with the events taking place in Bridgwater, Shepton Mallet and Yeovil next month.

Open to residents, businesses, groups and anyone with an interest, the drop-ins will be a chance to discuss the initial thoughts of the five councils set out in a ‘framework’ document.

Run by the Somerset Climate Action Network (SCAN) on behalf of Somerset’s four District Councils and the County Council, the events are collecting people views with a range of interactive tools including a temperature gauge, a thought tree and some drawings. Information gathered will be used to inform Somerset’s Climate Emergency Strategy.

The Glass Box event attracted approaching 300 people and included a session with the Castle school Eco Club, an art workshop and a presentation from Sally Lowndes from the Onion Collective, who talked about plans to establish an innovative new bio-recycling industry on the old paper mill site at Watchet.

The other events will be held on Saturdays, between 10am and 4pm at the following venues:

- February 8, Sedgemoor District Council. The Sedgemoor Room, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR.

- February 15, Mendip District Council. The Council Chamber, Mendip District Council Offices, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT.

- February 22, South Somerset District Council. Vicarage Street Methodist Church, Vicarage Street, Yeovil, BA20 1JB.

You can also give your views through two online surveys that have already seen more than 1,500 people get involved.

An online questionnaire is open until February 25 and can be found at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Somerset-Climate-Change-Survey-2019

A separate survey for 11 to 18-year-olds closes on February 18 and can be found here surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Somerset-Climate-Change-Survey-2019-Young-People

Earlier this year, all five councils declared or recognised ‘climate emergencies’, agreeing to work together to produce a joint Climate Emergency Strategy.

The strategy will identify ways for Somerset to work towards being carbon neutral by 2030 and adapt to predicted climate change impacts.