THE week-long St Helens Arts Festival got off to a groovy start when what is thought to be the world's first solar powered cinema tent visited town to help raise awareness about climate change.

The Groovy Movie cinema was one of the many attractions at Taylor Park on Saturday for the popular World Aware event, marking the United Nations decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

As international attention focused on Live 8 and the G8 summit in Scotland, the message from the Taylor Park event was: "Don't wait for the G8, start doing your bit for a better world right here right now."

Around 500 visitors were attracted to the free event which featured a special showing of the Hollywood climate change disaster movie 'The Day After Tomorrow'. Screenings of the British Council supported climate change photo exhibition NorthSouthEastWest along with a host of short films and videos from all corners of the globe also featured. And the crowds enjoyed live entertainment including poetry, music and family art activities.

There were many stalls and activities including environmental exhibits such as the Eco Lab, composting and cookery demonstrations featuring food from all around the world. Complimentary therapy tasters were on offer and Fairtrade goods were for sale.

The event was promoted by Planet St Helens and St Helens Council with support from Merseytravel, Travelwise, St Helens Health Partnership, Government Office Northwest, Liverpool World Centre, The Friends of Taylor Park, Groundwork and the Mersey Forest.