SOLAR-powered homes could soon be a feature in Redditch after a number of residents went on a "fact-finding" mission to a Welsh technology centre on Saturday.

The revolutionary exercise, which was set up by Redditch Co-operative Homes, saw a coachload of tenants visit the Centre for Alternative Technology in Powys.

Ideas on how to utilise wind, wave and solar power to energise homes were looked at and co-operative homes project manager Carl Taylor said they would be taken forward.

Mr Taylor said: "We are looking at how to develop the ideas further as part of our environmental agenda. Our properties already have installations in and this is just taking it forward."

Redditch Co-op Homes was launched in the town two-and-a-half years ago and so far 112 properties have been built and a further 17 two-bedroom bungalows are being developed.

The independent organisation, which works in partnership with Redditch Council, is run by a board which includes residents who make all their own decisions.

Mr Taylor said: "We have taken the residents to conferences before now but this was the first time we had taken them to the technology centre. It was a real fact-finding mission. I think it was quite an unusual thing to do. "