NEWS Shopper has launched a new competition for the area's councillors called How Green Is Your Council Leader?

In last week's edition we heard from Bromley Council leader, Councillor Stephen Carr, who spoke about his wish to see bears make a return to the British Isles.

This week we put the same questions to Bexley Council leader, Councillor Teresa O’Neill.

The winning answers will be judged by News Shopper's Green Household Champion Elizabeth Greenwood, who has made many environmentally friendly changes to her Chislehurst bungalow including installing solar panels.

At the end of the series she will present the champion council leader with a special secret prize.

1. What do you do to help the environment?

I am personally committed to recycling and work hard to reduce my personal impact on the environment. I use energy saving light bulbs, I have had my house insulated and I keep my heating down as low as possible. I don’t leave my home appliances on standby and re-use my carrier bags.

2. In one sentence, how would you encourage residents to be green?

I would particularly urge people to use the many recycling facilities in the borough, because we have listened carefully and provided them with a wide range of recycling opportunities that are designed to be easy to use and which have already brought a massive reduction in waste.

3. How many cars do you own and what are they?

I own a four-year-old VW Golf with a 1400cc engine which runs on lead-free petrol.

4. How far do you have to travel to work?

One mile.

5. How do you get to work?

My job involves a lot of travelling around the borough, so I take my car to work. When I commuted – and when I travel up to London now – I use the train and bus.

6. How many miles a year do you drive?

Less than 3,000

7. Do you own a bike?

No.

8. What changes have you made to your house to save energy?

This isn’t a complete list, but I do my washing at lower temperatures, I have insulated my loft, I recycle as much as I can, turn down the thermostat on my heating, use energy efficient light bulbs and take showers.

9. If you could make one change to make the world a greener place, what would it be?

I would redouble our efforts to educate our young people about the importance of environmental responsibility. We do a lot of work in our schools to make students aware of the part we can all play in protecting our environment – and we know they pass that message on to their parents.

10. If you could bring back one extinct animal, what would it be and why?

I would rather focus on one native species that is under threat of extinction – the Red Squirrel. Its future in Britain remains uncertain and I think we should do everything we can do ensure it survives.