The event, which was organised by the Yorkshire and Humber Rural Affairs Forum, aimed to raise awareness of climate change and offer advice on how local parishes could adapt to the changes.

BBC Look North’s weather presenter, Paul Hudson, was invited to speak at the conference, held at Kinsley and Fitzwilliam Community Centre, and talked about how Yorkshire’s climate was already changing.

Mr Hudson said: “Climate change is likely to be the biggest single issue to face us in the coming decades.

“Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for about 30 to 40 years, so even if we drastically cut our carbon dioxide emissions now, more extremes of weather are inevitable.

“It is therefore vital to adapt to the expected changes as well as try and mitigate them. In addressing this it is very important to involve the grass-root structures, such as parish councils.”

Other speakers were from the Regional Climate Change Executive Group, UK Climate Impacts Programme, Yorkshire Forward, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

Graham Ward, chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Rural Affairs Forum, said it was important for parish councils to prepare for climate change.

He said: “This is about community empowerment and making parish councils think about what they can do to prepare for climate change.

“It is important that they know what local resources they already have to tackle problems, rather than relying on the government.

“If parish councils don’t have the resources they need then they can put pressure on those above them.”

The forum is hoping to involve about 20 parish councils in a project to form an action plan on tackling climate change.

The plan will then be rolled out to other parishes.

South Elmsall Mayor Coun Peter Jordan said the conference had been useful and offered advice that local councillors could use.

He said: “It was an eye opener in illustrating how climate change can effect us in our parish.

“While a lot of it was speculation there were many good ideas on what measures to take to help prevent flooding, soil erosion and changes in local wildlife.”