FRIENDS of the Earth has urged to the council take action to help schools save thousands of pounds on their electricity bills.

Schools in Warrington could be earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a year if Warrington Borough Council helps them to install solar panels, it has been claimed.

A freedom of information request by the environment charity revealed that Warrington's 79 schools spent a whopping £845,398 on electricity last year.

But Friends of the Earth calculates that by installing solar power they could offset this by around £632,000 a year, which is 75 per cent of their electricity bill.

This would leave more money to spend on playgrounds, libraries and school trips.

Campaigner Dina Kingsnorth-Baird said: “I’m shocked by how much schools are paying for their electricity and through no fault of their own – many just aren’t aware of the alternatives.

“Solar provides a real opportunity for each school to offset their electricity bill by up to £8,000 a year and to pump money back into education but they need a bit of help to get going.

“To save schools money, tackle climate change and generate local jobs, Warrington Borough Council should follow the lead of Bradford and Plymouth Councils by promoting the benefits of solar power and investing in solar schemes for schools.”

Earlier this month Friends of the Earth launched a competition for primary schools to win a set of solar panels and is urging Warrington Guardian readers to nominate a school in the town.