LENT is being taken seriously in the six south-western dioceses: Bath & Wells, Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester, Salisbury, and Truro. The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Revd Nick McKinnel, suffragan in Exeter diocese, together with his wife, Jan (above), has pledged to buy and eat only food grown and produced in Devon and Cornwall - although they have added the proviso "wherever possible".

Exeter Cathedral is turning off its floodlights from Ash Wednesday until Easter Day, to play its part in the Carbon Fast 2014 during Lent. "Less light at the west end of the cathedral by shutting off the floodlights will be a visible symbol of our need to cut the carbon, and be part of how we address the challenge of climate change," the Dean, the Very Revd Jonathan Draper, says. But the floodlight around the paths on Cathedral Green will be left on for public safety.

Throughout the diocese, church schools and individuals are being encouraged to commit themselves to Carbon Fast 2014 as their Lenten discipline this year, with the aim of reducing carbon emission by 40 per cent during Lent. Those who sign up to www.carbonfast.org will receive daily and easy-to-achieve challenges such as removing one light bulb at home, or having a meat-free Monday.