Civic Centre adopts low carbon strategy

Leyland's Civic Centre has taken a series of steps toward low carbon energy use, it has emerged.

The centre now boasts a series of solar panels that will be used to heat the 500 litres of water that are used in the building every day and eight new energy efficient boilers, according to the Preston Citizen.

This represents the council's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, councillor Peter Mullineaux, cabinet member for the environment, asserted.

"Installing our own solar panels and energy efficient boilers demonstrates that we're not just talking about tackling climate change - we're taking action," he said.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by installing domestic solar water heating devices, a third of hot water needs could be met, while some 350kg of CO2 could be saved, as well as £40 off household bills.

Microgeneration throughout the UK could deliver the same amount of energy as five nuclear power stations, a new government report indicates.