The organisers of a talk on the environmental benefits of adopting a plant-based diet said they were pleased with the attendance and the feedback from the audience.

The Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth hosted the talk 'A Plant-Based Future - How and Why?' at Kennaway House on February 29.

The speakers included local environmentalists Simon and Tracey West who have lived a vegan lifestyle for eight years. They support 'The Plant-Based Treaty', which advocates switching to a plant-based diet to combat global warning, biodiversity loss, deforestation, water depletion and ocean dead zones.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "The talk was well-attended by people who clearly demonstrated that they are interested and concerned about the climate emergency.

"A challenging Q & A produced a wide range of questions that both linked raising and eating animals to impacts on the environment and human health, as well as revealing worries about the use of palm oil and endangered biodiversity.

"Frustration over a lack of leadership from the top as well as a reluctance to engage at lower levels was expressed.

"However, the conclusion was that there is clearly a healthy appetite in Sidmouth for more information on ways people can lower their carbon footprint. Free plant-based nibbles were enjoyed by everyone as they chatted well beyond the end of the talk."