WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is leading the way when it comes to powering its library buildings in an eco-friendly manner.

Redditch and Kidderminster Libraries have recently installed solar panels on their roofs, generating electricity from a clean and renewable source.

Both projects, overseen by Worcestershire County Council and installed by local contractors, provide a significant financial benefit to the council. Less energy has to be paid for from the national grid and money is made via the Feed in Tariff.

Councillor Anthony Blagg, cabinet member with responsibility for environment at the county council, said: "Sustainability is an important objective for Worcestershire County Council. We are conscious of making a real difference, where possible, to the environment and to the greener credentials of Worcestershire as a whole."

A typical system of this type should pay for itself in about nine years' time – with an added saving of over 4,500 kg of Co2.