Solar panels will be installed on the roof of a leisure centre after a successful bid for nearly £200,000 worth of funding.

Worcester City Council has secured £195,000 from the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund to add solar panels at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, with work due to be completed by March 2025.

The project aims to decrease the leisure centre's carbon emissions by 84 tonnes annually.

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An energy-efficient water recovery system and a unit using excess power to heat water for showers are also included in the upgrade.

Additionally, fans will be installed to recirculate warm air, reducing heating demand.

The council succeeded in obtaining another £59,750 for a similar scheme at Lower Wick’s swimming pool.

Lloyd Griffiths, the council’s director of operations, homes and communities, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded these much-needed funds, which will help drive down energy usage at Perdiswell Leisure Centre after a period when the rises in energy bills have been very challenging.

"That, combined with the environmental benefits of these new technologies, will ensure the future of one of Worcester’s most popular leisure facilities."

Rob Tyler, area manager at Freedom Leisure said: "Supporting people and communities to be more active and healthy is at the heart of everything we do and we are delighted that we will be able to continue to do this whilst reducing our carbon emissions.

"We would like to thank the Council and everyone involved in the successful application.”