CUMBRIA Wildlife Trust (CWT) has launched its own carbon contribution scheme to help people protect the natural environment.

The county's peat bogs and wetlands are stores of carbon. Drumburgh Moss, Foulshaw Moss and Meathop Moss nature reserves - cared for by CWT - are examples of important peat bogs and raised mires.

Not only do healthy peat bogs lock away more carbon than they release, they also soak up rainfall slowing the flow off the hills which in turn prevents flooding further down the line.

John Peatfield, a CWT member from Bowston near Kendal, chooses to make a donation to the charity to mitigate his environmental footprint.

John said: “Since 2009 I have made bi-annual donations equivalent to my footprint to Cumbria Wildlife Trust to be used to assist them lock some carbon in through various projects.”

To make a donation to offset your carbon footprint visit www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/carbon-contribution-scheme.