VALENTINE’S gifts don’t need to be bad news for the environment, provided you opt for a sustainable approach.

The Bluecoat is pioneering eco-friendly ways to show you care, with workshops on how to reuse and recycle to make one-off gifts.

Independent fashion boutique Landbaby is holding special Valentine’s workshops today and tomorrow.

Owner Claire Bates said: “We will be making beautiful waxed paper flowers using old love letters or copies of text that people have shared.”

Landbaby was born out of fine art graduate Claire’s desire to make some money over the summer after finishing university.

What started out as a hobby selling her creations at various art markets in Liverpool soon turned into a small business and she is now delighted to be running her thriving shop at the Bluecoat.

She said: “There is definitely something romantic about crafting something for your partner and, unlike a bunch of flowers from the local garage, these will last forever and seal a memory.”

For those looking for a unique Valentine’s Day gift, Purlesque have a variety of hand-made delights to choose from, plus all the materials to knit, sew or crochet your own.

Anyone keen to learn to knit or crochet should look out for Purlesque's new workshops. For further information, contact Purlesque at purlesque@gmail.com or on 0151 702 5324 169.

Love is in the air all over the Bluecoat during the Valentine’s period with multi-media installation Sonia Boyce: Like Love – Parts One & Two exploring the Blue Room’s encounters with love through films and drawings. The Blue Room, a year-round arts service for adults with learning disabilities, has inspired the artist.