RECORD numbers visited a Winchester exhibition displaying essential items that can be made from cans, old tyres and other discarded rubbish, organisers have said.

Almost 5,000 people visited Trash to Treasure at Winchester Discovery Centre over March and April. The six week-exhibition displayed reused and recycled items from around the world, including toys, buckets and bags, in a bid to teach the value of cutting waste.

It came part of the Great Waste initiative, a year-long venture by Winchester City Council and environmental charity Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC).

Other events which took place over the last month include craft workshops for local children, who created jewellery, dinosaurs and clocks from recycled material which would otherwise have gone in the bin.

Chris Holloway, director of WinACC, said: “People are really interested in knowing what you can do to throw less away.

“What was nice was that these were things that genuinely people wanted and used. They could have gone on sale at places around the world.

“We were particularly wanting to make people realise you can recycle more than paper,” she added. “Textiles are particularly important things to recycle because they use up a lot of resources being made.”

Upcoming Great Waste events include the launch of a leftovers recipe pack by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Canteen.

The restaurant event, from 7.30pm-9pm on May 12, will teach people how to reduce food waste and cook meals from leftovers. Tickets cost £5, or £4 for those on means-tested benefits.

To book, or for more information, visit thegreatwaste.org.