The Blues are going green as Helston Athletic Football Club launches a campaign to reduce its carbon footprint – and is encouraging other businesses and households to do the same.

Currently riding high on top of the South West Peninsula League West Division, the club’s next goal is to help Helston become carbon neutral by 2030.

It is after club chairman Paul Hendy attended February’s meeting of Helston Town Council and heard about the work of Helston Climate Action Group.

Read more: Questions over Helston climate emergency action

Helston AFC is now leading the way after switching to an energy provider supplying energy from 100 per cent renewable sources.

Mr Hendy said: “My attendance at the meeting coincided with the club's review of their electricity supply contract.

“Having been bombarded with cold callers from across the country wanting to manage the review, we stayed local and utilised Cornwall based, Total Energy Solutions.

“They supplied details of a number of renewable source tariff alternatives, which support reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuel usage, whilst also reducing The Club’s annual electric bill.”

The club estimates that this change will reduce Helston's carbon footprint by some 14 tonnes per year - the equivalent of the emissions from driving the family car for three years.

Mr Hendy said he hoped that other Helston based business and organisations would follow suit, although financial savings are not always possible.

And that is not all the club has been doing to support the environment.

Driven by club employee and Exeter University student Scarlett Buck, the club is also looking at an initiative that will support Plastic Free Helston.

Governed by FA Regulations on the strict use of plastic glasses on match days, the club is looking to replace disposable glasses with a reusable ridged plastic equivalent.

Miss Buck is also creating a plastic audit to see where else plastic can be switched at low costs.

The club is now looking for local businesses and organisations that might be interested in sponsoring the purchase of the new glasses, in exchange for what is described as “significant advertising opportunities.”

Email Scarlett Buck at sb944@exeter.ac.uk or Paul Hendy via paul.m.hendy@btinternet.com, or call 07740 812555.