YOU can test-drive an electric car, make you own solar panel and join a city-wide “green” treasure hunt in one week next month.

The second annual Low Carbon Oxford Week will feature more than 80 events from Saturday, June 13 to Sunday, June 21.

The idea of the Oxford City Council event is to inspire residents to take local action against global climate change and help them save money along the way.

And this year to get people more involved, organisers have challenged people to make an environmentally friendly pledge for the whole week.

People are challenged to “give meat the push” by going vegetarian for the week, “put the brakes on driving” by only cycling or walking for short journeys, or “switch off and relax” by turning off electricals at the plug when they are not in use.

Organiser Jennifer Carr, the city council’s sustainability officer, has pledged to give up meat for the whole month of June.

She said: “It will be quite a challenge but with the wealth of amazing veggie food available in Oxford I’m confident most people could manage it.

“I can’t wait for Low Carbon Oxford Week, we have a huge number of free events lined up in every corner of the city.”

She said highlights of the week would include the Big Green Day Out on Saturday, June 13, in Broad Street, featuring solar panel-making and cycle repair workshops.

Among the other low-carbon technologies to see and try out on the day will be the BMWi electric car.

The Big Green Treasure Hunt, organised by Oxford University and Oxford Brookes, will take challengers on a tour of 12 “eco sites” around the city for a chance to win prizes including a Brompton folding bike.

Members of public will be able to trial a range of electric vehicles from BMW, Nissan, Renault and Citroen in Cutteslowe Park on Saturday, June 20, and throughout the week local experts, writers and business leaders will be giving talks at the city’s primary and secondary schools.

Councillor John Tanner, board member for climate change, said: “I hope everyone will get involved with Low Carbon Oxford Week in their own way. No issue is more important than tackling climate change and making sure our children and grandchildren have a liveable future.

“During Low Carbon Week I have pledged to leave the car at home, cycle and walk more, have a meat-free week and spend more time on my allotment.”

Ending the week will be this year’s Tandem Festival celebrating music and the environment at Hill End outdoor education centre near Farmoor from June 19-21.