Hundreds of people learned how they could help tackle climate change during a three-day eco-festival.

North Oxford residents took part in pond-dipping, art, community stalls and a church service to learn more about how to be environmentally friendly.

Yesterday, a parade took place in Walton Manor led by the Horns of Plenty saxophone band.

The Green Shoots festival opened on Friday with an art exhibition at SS Philip and James School in Navigation Way.

It ended with a service today at St Margaret’s Church, in St Margaret’s Road, featuring a talk by Christian Aid international director Paul Valentin, followed by a picnic in Binsey.

The festival was organised by the church and other community groups as a follow-up to a Living Green festival held in the area two years ago.

It was sponsored by the St Margaret’s Institute, the Oxford-based Midcounties Co-operative and Leckford Place School and also featured a cycle workshop, a car club display and locally-produced food.

Mother-of-two Alex Cheetham, of St Margaret’s Road, said about 600 people took part in the festival.

She said: “It has been great, there has been a really good response.

“People think climate change is just something governments and politicians can sort out but we have all got to realise there are some pretty drastic changes we can all make to our own lives.

“Doing small things can make a big difference.”