School switched on to saving the environment

2:07pm Saturday 5th July 2008

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There was a charged atmosphere at Coates Lane School in Barnoldswick on Wednesday when pupils officially switched on their new solar panels.

The £20,000 panels were installed with funding from the Co-operative group.

The school was one of 100 across the UK to be successfully nominated by Co-operative staff to receive the solar panels.

Sarah Atherton, deputy manager of The Co-operative store in Barnoldswick, said she hoped it would send out a message to the whole community about the need to tackle climate change.

Pupil Oliver Beckwith, 11, said: "It's great that we have solar panels. It means that we are going to produce less carbon dioxide, which destroys the environment."

Headteacher Graeme Lucas added: "We are already working hard to reduce the school's carbon footprint and switching on these rooftop solar panels will instantly boost our efforts while sending out a strong message about our commitment to helping the environment."