Dozens of items including bicycles, clothing, a food-mixer, ceramics, garden tools, furniture and toys were fixed for free at the city's first Repair Cafe.

The initiative was organised by the Canterbury Climate Action Partnership, which recruited 16 expert volunteers for the session at St Stephen’s church hall in Canterbury on Saturday, March 7.

They had skills in mending everything from jewellery to woodwork, mobile phones and IT equipment.

The event was hosted by St Stephen’s Women’s Institute, which served tea, coffee and cakes for about 80 people.

Organisers hope it will become a regular monthly activity. The CCAP says its aim is to avoid so many things being thrown away and replaced, which will help cut CO2 emissions.

City councillors Dave Wilson and Pat Edwards have both donated part of their allowance to the Repair Café and attended the three-hour event.

Cllr Wilson said: “It was amazing how busy it was - there’s obviously an untapped demand out there from people who don’t want to throw things away.”

Cllr Edwards added: “We need to reverse the consumer culture to stop climate change.” This is something that people can do — whether bringing something for repair or volunteering to repair.”

The next Repair Café will be on April 25 at the Hub Café in the Baptist Church Hall, opposite Waitrose in St George’s Place, between 10am and midday.

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