Greener lifestyle commitments during Lent are being encouraged by senior Essex clergy as the 40-day fast celebration begins today.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell has made the environment his focus as part of the #LiveLent campaign.

Travelling by bicycle, public transport, on foot or sharing a car and planting trees are just some of the example’s residents can take up during Lent.

Lent is the annual Christian religious observance which lasts for six weeks beginning on Ash Wednesday through to Easter Sunday.

People are encouraged to give up a ‘luxury’, chocolate or alcohol being popular choices, or conduct more acts of generosity in honour of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

The Venerable Elizabeth Snowden, Archdeacon of Chelmsford and chair of the Diocese of Chelmsford Environment Group said: “Throughout the Bible there is a strong sense of God’s relationship with and His purposes for the whole of His creation.

“For us as created beings our relationship with God begins and is worked out in the context of this physical world around us.”

“We’ll be praying for God’s guidance and making practical changes to how we live.”

During Lent the clergy team will be hosting a series of environment themed lectures and promoting the Church of England’s #LiveLent daily prayers.

Lent 2020 runs from Wednesday, February 26 to Sunday, April 9.