COUNCILS across Northumberland have been asked to declare a climate emergency.

While campaigners at Climate Action Northumberland have demanded Northumberland County Council join Newcastle and Durham authorities in declaring an emergency, residents across Tynedale are asking their individual town and parish councils to do the same.

Requests to Stocksfield Parish Council and Hexham Town Council were the latest from the district, with Hexham councillors hinting they would be willing to, by recently forming a climate change liaison group.

Residents concerned about the global effects of climate change asked Hexham Town Council to act during last week’s annual town meeting, hosted by outgoing mayor, Coun. Tom Gillanders.

Coun. John Ord, who is leading the liaison group, agreed. He said: “Other town councils, for example Alnwick, have declared a climate emergency and I think it would be a good thing for the environment and Hexham as a town if we, as a council, said we are in an emergency situation here.

“It not only would focus our minds as a council, but it would focus the minds of the residents and citizens of Hexham.”