Around 80 people turned up at the Holme Street Arts Centre with unwanted Christmas presents and other things they did not need and traded them in for items they could put to good use.

Mike Hancock of Cabaret Heaven took the role of Noel Edmonds from the popular 70s TV series The Multi Coloured Swap Shop, inviting would be swappers up to show off their stuff in the hope of taking home a top swap.

Lots of DVDs and play station games changed hands among the children while the adults got busy swapping all sorts of clothes, kitchen equipment and a push chair.

"It went down a storm. People loved the idea of exchanging things to get what they need rather than spending money.

"It's a really sociable way of recycling what's going to waste or gathering dust," said a Transition Town group spokesperson.

"It has given people ideas and there are plans for a book swap brewing.

"It is the sort of thing you can do among your friends and in your street. The Trades Club held a successful clothes swap a few months ago."

The Transition Town group is working on a plan to officially launch Hebden Bridge on a track to becoming a low carbon community.

During the Big Green Weekend at the end of May it will be staging a Transition Zone showcasing what Hebden Bridge could be like in the future if we think creatively about lowering emissions.

There will be a solar powered cinema,local organic cafe, a free shop, talks and discussions, guerrilla gardening, exhibitions, a solar powered stage, a bike race and fun kids activities for all ages, as well as practical workshops on anything from keeping chickens and bees, fruit and veg growing, and generating electricity off the grid.

You can come and be involved in organising the Transition Zone! There are fortnightly meetings at Holme Street Arts centre on Wednesdays at 8pm. The next meeting is on Wednesday, January 20.

For information about the plans and how to get involved in the group go to hebdenbridgetransitiontown.org.uk