HEREFORDSHIRE Council has received £200,000 to spend on eco-friendly schemes to help reduce its energy bills.

The money will be match-funded by the council and will be spent over three years on a variety of projects including schools and swimming pools.

However, housing and transport projects will not be considered for funding because they are covered by other Government schemes.

Discussions are currently being held over which particular projects will benefit first once the money becomes available at the end of May next year.

Councillor Phil Edwards, cabinet member for the environment, said: "I am delighted Herefordshire Council's work to reduce energy bills has been recognised in this way and feel sure this money will help us to become even more energy efficient."

The money has come from Salix - an independent company set up by the Carbon Trust in 2004 to work with the public sector to cut carbon emissions.

Herefordshire is one of 20 authorities in the country to receive the funding.