Bexley Royal Society for the Protection of Birds branch is off to France for its first coach trip of the new season. It will be travelling to the Marquenterre reserve in the Somme Bay in northern France on September 20, where the crested tit will be one of the target birds to see. The trip costs £32 and leaves at 6am. Call Tony Banks on 0298 859 3518 to book a place. The first talk of the season, about the wildlife of east Kent will be given by Paul Hale at Hurstmere School, Hurst Road, Sidcup, on September 18 at 7.30pm. All events are open to non-members. To find out more, go to bexleyrspb.org.uk

Hurst Horticultural Society is holding its 70th anniversary show at the Hurst Community Centre in Hurst Road, Bexley, on Saturday (12th). Classes will include fruit, vegetables, floral art, crafts, cookery and children’s classes. the show opens to the public at 2pm and admission is free. There is a nominal fee for entering exhibits. A schedule of classes is available. For details call 020 8306 2376 or email johnhendrie@hsbc.com

People who drop litter in Bexley may not realise they could be fined £80 if they are spotted.The council is able to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone caught littering, instead of using public rubbish bins or taking their litter home. Shopping areas, bus stops and parks and open spaces are patrolled by council staff who can issue the notices. If you know of an area where litter is regularly dropped, call the council’s enviro crime team on 020 8303 7777 or email enviro-crime@bexley.gov.uk

It is no joke. Apparently laughing gas is one of the biggest threats to the ozone layer. Research by American scientists suggests nitrous oxide, better known as the dental anaesthetic “laughing gas” has replaced CFCs as the most deadly destroyer of the ozone layer. Dr Akkihebbal Ravishankara, who led the US research, said: “The dramatic reduction in CFCs over the past 20 years is an environmental success story. But man-made nitrous oxide is now the elephant in the room among ozone-depleting substances.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson, has called for every home in the capital to have a water meter. Mr Johnson announced his support for the move to conserve water because demand rising due to an expanding population and higher temperatures caused by climate change. At the moment only 23 per cent of homes have meters. Mr Johnson wants meters in all houses by 2015 and in flats by 2020.

A survey has shown many people would be prepared to buy an electric car if the cost was reduced through Government incentives. The survey by The GreenCarWebsite showed 60 per cent of those visiting its site would be swayed to buy one if they got a £5,000 subsidy. Incentives are being offered from 2011 by the Transport Department, but strict criteria will apply. The problem is the high price of the new electric cars and hybrids coming onto the market, which could range between £20,000 and £94,000, may become a major disincentive for people, even with a subsidy.