CLIMATE change is back on the agenda and a major consultation exercise is being launched in Somerset to tackle it.

Rising to the Challenge has been organised by Somerset County Council to raise awareness about the issue in local terms and what residents can do to change it.

As part of the campaign the council wants residents to complete an online survey giving their views on the issue before January 28.

The results from the survey will help shape the campaign, which has £250,000 worth of funding from the Department for Food and Rural Affairs, and will be rolled out across the county this year.

Ruth Baker, climate change campaign officer added: "Before we begin the Rising to the Challenge campaign we want to find out what climate changes means to the people of Somerset.

"This will allow us to build a campaign that is responsive to people's needs and will help us to deliver a campaign that is both effective and delivers real results."

Everyone who fills in the survey is also entered into a draw to win a weekend break for two, a luxury hamper of West Country produce or a day's llama trekking for two.

Councillor Paul Buchanan, portfolio holder for economic development said: "This represents a major new initiative by Somerset County Council to raise awareness about what climate change means for the people of the county.

"It is vital that we hear residents views on climate change which will help us to deliver a campaign that is engaging and achieves a real change in people's awareness of the importance of climate change."

Somerset Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, South-West Climate Change Impacts Partnership Somerset Waste Action Programme, the Genesis Centre and the five district councils are all stakeholders in the campaign.

For more information on Rise to the Challenge visit www.somerset.gov.uk.