STAFF from a North-East company have taken another step forward in their efforts to help a school achieve Eco-status.

BP Cats, based on Teesside, has been working with Northgate Junior School, in Guisborough, which was visited by a representative from the Royal Society.

Northgate was the only Tees Valley school to be visited by the scientific academy for such a project.

As part of the school's progress towards achieving Eco-status - a programme that promotes environmental awareness - it has worked with BP Cats to compare solar and wind energy, a project that has developed the children's numerical and IT skills.

The work is part of a programme by the Royal Society to link schools with scientists and engineers.

BP Cats and the Royal Society have provided funding to install a solar panel and wind turbine, which will allow children to assess the energy generated by each. The school plans to use the power generated to irrigate its flowerbeds.

Thanks to the funding, the school could buy the train sets to measure energy output, as well as an irrigation system.

BP Cats' electrical contractor, the Dron and Dickson Group donated the solar panel and wind turbine.

Involved in the project were BP staff Geoff Broome, an engineer at the Cats Terminal, and Steve Pickthall, senior electrical technician.

Mr Broome said: "Looking after the environment plays a big part in our business, and it is good to see Northgate School taking such an interest in improving their environmental performance and helping the children in becoming responsible citizens."

* The Cats Terminal is operated by BP on behalf of British Gas Exploration and Production Lim-ited, BP, Amerada Hess Limited, Eni (UK) Limited, Total Exploration Limited and Phillips Petroleum (UK) Limited.

Published: 17/08/2004