SUPPORTERS from a Southampton-based charity will be challenging the city's MPs to act on climate change at an event on Wednesday (June 17).

Campaigners at Transition Southampton will speak to elected representatives for the city to call for action on climate change.

They will join 8,000 representatives of charities including Christian Aid, Oxfam, Dangerous Ideas and other organisations at Westminster in the first mass lobby of the new Parliament.

It will be as part of the "Speak up...for the love of..." campaign focusing on things campaigners say are at risk from climate change.

Mark Hancock, from Transition Southampton, a group hoping to develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, said: "As the first country to industrialise, Britain should lead the way in tackling climate change and is among the richest countries with the most capacity to do so.

"Many people (90%) have come to accept the reality of climate change – and the key is to get that reflected in political will.

"Over about 30 minutes lobbying, three big ‘asks’ will be presented on climate action, international, national and local e.g. air quality. Mainly it is to say, come on, MPs, show your commitment in action.

" We can be proud that in Southampton all our MPs have committed to meet us.