A DARLINGTON school could see solar panels or wind energy providing power after it won £25,000 of funding to develop environmental projects.

Branksome School won the funding from the Department for Education and Skills to develop the scheme, which is running as a pilot in three schools across the Tees Valley.

The school has been chosen as an Enterprise Pathfinder school, which is part of its bid to get specialist business and enterprise status.

It will now develop environmental schemes that can be sustained in the school in the future.

Deputy headteacher Bernie Coyne said: "We are looking to develop environmentally sustainable activities that are enterprising.

"So far, for example, we are looking to develop energy saving schemes, such as solar power energy or wind power. We are doing other projects but this is probably the main one."

He said the school was hoping to enlist the help of Clear Skies, a Government-aided body which helps schools in developing environmental projects."

Branksome won the funding following a successful anti-litter and environmental campaign, in which pupils designed bins and benches to improve the environment in the school and surrounding area.