A new conference aiming to highlight the need to improve sustainable practices will promote self-sufficiency when it takes place next month.

Sustain Britain will be hosted at the Sustain Farm Shop and Café, in Royal Wootton Bassett, on September 13.

Speakers including the former co-chair of the Green Party, Sir Jonathon Porritt, will discuss sustainability issues affecting individuals, businesses and communities.

The challenge of delivering high-quality, affordable, sustainable rented housing will be addressed, and the topic of adopting new approaches to overcome the high cost of food and energy will be discussed.

The conference will begin with a welcome from South Cotswolds MP Dr Roz Savage, and will feature speakers such as board advisor to regional government and business net zero programmes, Thomas Panton, eco-warrior and TEDx speaker, Jarvis Smith, and project director at Sustain Wiltshire, Nick Ash

Mr Ash said: "A new and different approach is needed to secure a better future for Britain and for our local communities.

"Bold and transformative steps are needed to create a more sustainable society, where communities and businesses are supported and encouraged to produce more for themselves and for their local markets.

“Only by doing this can we become less reliant on international imports and the influence of multinationals.

"By putting self-sufficiency at the heart of communities across the country we can keep more money in our local economies, helping to secure jobs and a brighter future for all.

“Our hope is that by bringing like-minded individuals together at the conference, we can deliver the seeds of change, creating a positive movement that will make greater self-sufficiency and sustainability a reality.”

Topics will include discussions on why localisation, rather than globalisation, holds the key to a more sustainable future, and how innovation and local production is vital to addressing the needs of communities.

Mr Panton will be speaking on ‘Localisation, not Globalisation’ at the conference.

He said: “It’s great to see the Sustain Britain Conference bringing different fields, expertise and organisations together to work towards a thriving and more sustainable society.

"I believe the focus on localisation and collaboration are going to be driving forces in this becoming a must-attend event here and into the future."

Dr Savage added: "I applaud the work being done by Sustain Britain to rethink how we meet our material needs in ways that build community and connection with each other and with our locality."