SOLAR panels are to be installed at a council-run food and garden waste recycling plant in Crewe.

Cheshire East Council says the scheme at Leighton Grange will help it achieve up to a quarter of its target to reduce carbon emissions through the use of sustainable energy.

The panels will provide "green electricity" to the composting plant on the site off Middlewich Road, while a tree planting scheme, will also help the authority reduce its carbon footprint.

The council is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and has agreed a carbon neutral action plan and environment strategy for the borough, which highlights priority actions to reduce emissions through initiatives such as tree planting.

Cheshire East's Cabinet meeting yesterday (Tuesday) agreed to press ahead with the installation of the panels and Cllr Nick Mannion, who has responsibility for environment and regeneration, said: "This scheme will make a significant impact on the council's carbon reduction ambitions.

"The project includes the proposed installation of solar panels to supply green electricity to the compost plant at the site, helping the council to achieve up to 26 per cent of our target to reduce carbon emissions through the use of sustainable energy.

"Alongside this, a tree planting scheme is expected to provide a significant amount of the carbon capture required by the council, helping to offset the emissions we produce as a council that can't be reduced to zero.

"Of course, trees provide a range of other benefits to the natural environment."

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Cheshire East Council is to secure a contractor for the design, build and initial operation of the solar panel system.