SOLAR panels have been fitted to a Worcestershire school to reduce its carbon emissions.

Whittington Primary School had the 10 kWp 40-panel solar photovoltaic (PV) array installed on the school roof during the Christmas holidays reducing the school's CO2 emissions by over 4,716 kg of CO2 per year.

The energy saved and feed in tariff income generated by the panels amounts to approximately £2,347.00 a year.

Sally Drinkwater, teacher and eco-coordinator, said: "We have 40 solar panels that not only make an impact visually but also help children and staff to focus on energy consumption, which will help us with our Green Flag renewal.

"Children are already noticing the difference that the solar panels are making.

"We have a monitor in the corridor which gives us daily information about energy consumption and the children can see the positive difference that the panels are making to our environment."

The school used funding available through Worcestershire County Council's Spend to Save scheme - and it is hoped the panels will pay for themselves in around six years.

Councillor Anthony Blagg, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "We're committed to doing everything we can in the county to reduce carbon emissions and looking after our environment and this project is yet another fantastic example of that.

"The County Council project manage and implement these schemes as not only are they good for the environment and pupils at the school, they also make good financial sense."

Whittington Primary had already been awarded the Eco-School's Green Flag Award for all of the eco-projects and themes taking place within teaching and learning throughout the school.

Schools interested in installing solar panels or other energy saving initiatives can visit worcestershire.gov.uk/spendtosave for more details or email energy@worcestershire.gov.uk for more information.