SOLAR panels have been installed at council offices in Hyndburn as part of a drive to cut costs and energy usage.

The panels were installed at Scaitcliffe House Council Offices and are expected to save 16 tonnes of CO2 every year and raise approximately £60,000 over the next 20 years.

Installation of the panels, which cost £24,000, comes after the council introduced several energy saving measures, including electric vans and the collection of rainwater from roofs for use in street cleaning and grounds maintenance.

The council’s work to reduce its carbon footprint has been recognised after it scooped a number of ‘green’ awards, including the Most Sustainable Local Authority in the UK, the Energy Saving Trust’s Motorvate Awards and the Green Apple Environmental Best Practice award.

Council leader Coun Miles Parkinson said: “We're keen to reduce our impact on the environment wherever possible.”