A MINISTER for climate change has praised Wiltshire Council for declaring a climate emergency last month.

Councillors at the county authority passed two motions in February acknowledging a climate emergency and agreed to take necessary steps to make Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030.

In a letter to Allison Bucknell, chair of the conservative-run council, Claire Perry, conservative MP for Devizes and minister for energy and clean growth, praised the work of the council for leading the way.

"It is great that Wiltshire Council and other local authorities are taking the threat of climate change seriously. The evidence is clear that society needs to do more, which is why we've asked independent climate experts for advice on a net zero emissions target."

Swindon Borough Council came under fire in January when members rejected a similar motion to set carbon emission targets. It was decided that a working group would be set up instead.