A NEW environmental group is to be launched in North Somerset. Friends of the Earth is to set up a new group in the district to campaign against issues and threats to the environment. The new group will officially launch at a public meeting at the Ring O

A NEW environmental group is to be launched in North Somerset.Friends of the Earth is to set up a new group in the district to campaign against issues and threats to the environment.The new group will officially launch at a public meeting at the Ring O' Bells pub, St Mary's Grove tonight (Wed) at 7.45pm.Jeremy Birch, of Bristol Friends of the Earth, will speak at the launch and explain how local people can make a difference.The meeting will last two hours and will give residents the opportunity to give their views and help make a difference on the issues that matter to them.Julian Carpenter, the local group's founder and co-ordinator, said: "North Somerset was the only local authority area within the former county of Avon without a Friends of the Earth group to campaign on local environmental issues."Due to the number of people that have expressed strong opinions through local papers recently, we have suggested an initial campaign to reduce rubbish through improved recycling, the introduction of plastic recycling and less wasteful packaging."The new group intends to join forces with other environmental action groups and local councillors in a bid to campaign on local issues.For more information contact Debbie Staveley on 07718968434.