A FAMILY from Greater Leys was left beaming after trading their unwanted curtains for DVDs and art equipment.

Recycling took a fresh twist as people from across the county got together at a series of swap shops to beat climate change.

The events were held at nine venues across Oxfordshire on Saturday to encourage people to trade unwanted items and prevent them being sent to landfill.

At the Blackbird Leys event, held in the Community Centre, people were asked to weigh the goods they were leaving with, to see how many kilogrammes were being saved from landfill.

A swap shop is an event where people trade goods they no longer require for other items. A host of other events are planned around the county.

Moe Scholl, who organised the Blackbird Leys event, said: “I like to recycle and when I tried to get more information about helping the planet I discovered there wasn’t a local environmental group.

“Everyone probably has things in their cupboards they do not need and instead of holding on to them you can bring them here, trade, and make friendships at the same time.

“I have been really pleased with how today went, and hope to organise other events in the future.”

Rachel Fisher, 26, from Greater Leys, joined the swap shop with her two boys. Mrs Fisher said: “I think it is a really good idea. I have been through my cupboards and dug out some children’s books, curtains and baby blankets. In exchange we have come out with card-making stamps and children’s DVDs.

“We recycle at home and this is another way of doing that, I think it is really important.”

Graham Hooper, 48, from Iffley Road, said: “I am senior organiser of the Rosewood Day Centre and we have an old organ we no longer need as we have been given a new one. We are hoping to find a new home for it.”

“Unwanted items still have a use in the home in this day and age when we’re all trying to consume less.”

Events were also held at Headington, Eynsham, Wallingford, Thame, Woodstock, Dorchester-on-thames, Duns Tew, and Wheatley.

The swap shops were supported by Community Action Groups Oxfordshire and more information can be found on their website at cagoxfordshire.org.uk

Upcoming swapshops are: Feb 6, Village hall, Aston near Bampton; Feb 13, Bullingdon Community Centre, Headington; Feb 24, The Barn, Blackbird Leys; March 31, The Barn, Blackbird Leys; April 24, Village Hall, Chinnor.