AN event aimed at getting the creative juices flowing and raising awareness about sustainability is taking place in Northwich this weekend.

On Saturday, Transition Northwich and Visual Arts Cheshire will be hosting a variety of local makers offering free drop-in art activities at the VAC Gallery in Barons Quay, opposite Wildwood.

One of the makers is Hilary Belshaw of @Scrapadoo who advocates choosing pre-loved clothing, sharing or repairing items as a way of reducing waste and saving money.

Hilary will be showing visitors how to transform an old T-shirt into a cosy scarf or bag, with no sewing required.

She said: "This is a great way to use up T-shirts that you no longer wear and save them from landfill."

T-shirts will be provided, or bring your own (cotton t-shirts work best).

Elsewhere Katie Naylor Brown will be on hand from the 'Northwich Toppers' group, which creates the crochet artworks on post boxes and bollards around the town.

On Saturday, her group will share their crochet and knitting skills and visitors can have a go.

"Crafting skills are sadly being lost as we start to buy everything," said Katie. "Our 'Mid Cheshire Craft & Chat Group' enjoy meeting to share ideas and techniques.

"On Saturday, you can also try book folding and beading to make beautiful Christmas decorations."

Local artist, Cathrene Rowell, will also offer visitors the chance to explore collage to create a 20x20cm artwork to add to the exhibition in the VAC exhibition in the gallery.

Cathrene creates items for sale as @ZeroWasteLlama, from upcycled fabrics and other materials.

"Reusing scraps ensures each creation is unique," she said. "I aim to live a zero-waste lifestyle which means that my artworks utilise offcuts and unusable materials.

"It's always a creative challenge but rewarding to know that my art is helping to reducing waste."

Courageous women are at the forefront of social and environmental movements round the world.

At the workshop on Saturday, the Northwich Soroptimists invite you to create portraits of some of our most inspiring female icons.

The 'Creative Recycling' Workshop will be open 10am-4pm on Saturday, November 12.

All activities are free and suitable for all ages. All materials are provided.