PALM trees and sandbags were used to launch a campaign to raise awareness about the impact of climate change after the latest burst of changeable weather.

The Middlesbrough Council roadshow was launched this week at the Berwick Hills branch of Morrisons, demonstrating how there could be more extremes of heat and an increased risk of flooding.

A series of public meetings has been organised so people can discuss ways to save energy, reduce pollution and help the council draw up a climate change community action plan.

"Climate change is a massive challenge but it is one we can help with by making small changes in our lifestyle," said Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for public protection.

"Middlesbrough produces 800,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year and it would take a forest 20 times the size of the town to soak it up. We have to cut down emissions by 60 per cent over the next 50 years and we can only do that if we start now."

Frequent floods, droughts every three years, soaring summer temperatures are just some of the features of an increasingly unpredictable weather map caused by climate change.

It means challenges for central and local government such as improving flood defences, designing buildings which can cope with weather extremes and cutting down on pollution by developing alternative sources of energy such as wind and wave power.

Just turning the heat down by a degree in the house will save 300 kilos of carbon dioxide and £25 in fuel bills a year.