A NEW mascot created by a pupil from New Cumnock has been launched to help share ideas for reducing energy and water consumption across East Ayrshire.

Windy the Wind Turbine, designed by Noah, a pupil at New Cumnock Primary, broke cover for the first time at East Ayrshire's annual Youth Climate Change Conference.

The mascot will be the face of a new initiative, Power Down, aiming to encourage people of all ages around East Ayrshire to cut down on their energy and water use.

The event saw children and young people from around the area's schools East Ayrshire gather to develop ideas and actions to respond to the climate emergency and help to achieve the council's ambitious net zero targets.

The conference, at Loudoun Academy, heard from six schools that had been recognised at the climate change awards held earlier this year.

Pupils spoke about the work that is taking place within their school, each focusing on one of our climate change themes.

Equipped with lots of ideas, the young people began drafting a clean green action plan specific to their establishment.

Councillor Graham Barton, the local authority's spokesperson for planning, property and environment, said: “What an incredible and inspiring day we had with our children and young people.

"The conference was led by them; they had the opportunity to share best practice to encourage others to think innovatively about how we can address the climate emergency as a local authority but also as a community.

"They also had the opportunity to make a personal pledge and commit to making positive changes at home.

“All their feedback will be assessed by the Climate Change team and I know that there will be plenty of ideas that we can implement moving forward."