Waverley Borough Council started trialling pesticide-free weed control this week in parts of the borough, to assess alternatives to traditional pesticide-based methods.

The trial, which started with pavements, road gutters and traffic islands in parts of Godalming, Haslemere, Farnham and Cranleigh, started on Monday, and will continue next year in the same areas.

The council says the trial is the start of its assessment of alternatives to pesticide-based weedkillers: if successful, it will form part of several measures aimed at reducing the authority's pesticide usage in the future.

Waverley councillor Liz Townsend said: "As a council, we declared a climate emergency last year and included in our draft Climate Emergency Action Plan a move to phase out the use of pesticides.

"Of course, it is important that we maintain a standard of street maintenance, but this must be in a way that protects our environment and addresses growing evidence and concerns about the use of pesticides.

"Over the past year we have already enhanced a number of other areas, including the setting aside of wildflower areas to benefit pollinators and reviewing grass cutting frequency.

"With a future move to more electric vehicles and machinery wherever possible this will result in lower vehicle emissions and noise pollution. In addition, all grass cuttings and prunings are composted and used on council sites, with any surplus offered to local allotments and community gardens.

"We are also currently asking residents to get involved and have their say in what we can do to help tackle climate change by taking part in a survey.

"The survey closes on October 16th, and we would urge residents to take part and help inform our action plan going forward."

Click here to take the survey.