WORCESTERSHIRE held its own Earth Summit to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit and the Golden Jubilee.

More than 150 people turned up to the summit at County Hall to listen to talks and attend workshops.

Professor Stephen Martin, honourary professor for UCW and the Open University, chaired the day, on Saturday, July 6.

Chris Church, an adviser on sustainable development at local and community level, gave the keynote speech.

"Mr Church gave a good talk stressing the importance of the work of community groups," said Liz Alston sustainability officer for Worcestershire County Council.

A wide variety of workshops were held on the theme of sustainability, including local achievement in working towards sustainable development.

"One workshop was about the new wood burning system which powers county hall and produces less greenhouse gases," said Ms Alston.

"We had a range of people there, from children to members of the public and local businesses."

Children took part in drum workshops where they mixed South American music from Rio where the last summit was held, and South African music from Johannesburg where the next summit will be held.

"At the end of the day they performed a song, half in English and half in Afrikaans," said Ms Alston.

Messages were attached to origami doves in a collage featuring an earth hot air balloon.

"There was also a presentation on Worcestershire 50 years ago, including photos of the Kidderminster to Birmingham road with about two cars on it," said Ms Alston.