AS well as enjoying luxurious food and stunning views at the Chateau Impney guests can now also charge their electric cars.

Worcestershire County Council has unveiled a new electric vehicle chargepoint at the 19th-century chateau, helping to encourage people to switch to more environmentally friendly motors.

The Droitwich Spa based mansion, where drivers can park for free, is one of 12 rapid chargepoints installed across the county.

There is also the option of using the existing network of slower public chargepoints which will charge a car in two to three hours.

Councillor Anthony Blagg, cabinet member for the environment, said: "The council's sustainability team have worked closely with Chargemaster and the Chateau Impney venue to provide a facility which supports the sustainable choices of motorists.

"Electric vehicles cause less pollution and are kinder to the environment, in addition to being more economical to run."

Ben Elder, general manager of the Chateau Impney, said: "We're really pleased to have negotiated a chargepoint at the hotel, which will enable customers to power their vehicles quickly when away from home."

Other rapid chargepoints have been installed in Droitwich.

They have all been installed by Chargemaster on behalf of the council and are available for 'pay as you go' use through the Charge Your Car network.

Tariffs are being reviewed at the moment to see if there is room to offer better value for electric car users.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles has provided 75 per cent of the funding with the remaining 25 percent coming from Chargemaster.