A special bronze award has been awarded to Salisbury Cathedral, thanks to  an online survey where churches can monitor their contribution to the environment and society.

The eco-church scheme was created by A Rocha UK, a charity committed to helping Christians play their part in the natural world.

It was launched in January at St Paul's Cathedral.

The survey touches subjects such as how the church manages its worship, lifestyle, building and land management, as well as how it sources its electricity, and the what type of toilet paper purchased.

400 churches across Britain have already taken part, and Salisbury is one of five cathedrals to be awarded the bronze award, alongside Leicester, Portsmouth, St Paul's and York Minster.

Salisbury Cathedral canon treasurer Robert Titley said: "We believe that the Christian gospel is good news for the whole of creation as well as for human beings.

"The eco-church audit is helping us see how we can express that better, through the whole range of the cathedral's life, from the hymns we sing, to the heating we use."

The award was also welcomed by the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, who is the Church of England's lead bishop for the environment.

He said: "Climate change is already damaging the lives of some of the world's poorest communities, and I hope other churches in the Diocese follow the cathedral's lead.

"We need to care for the earth because there is no Planet B."