THE first solar-powered parking ticket machine has been installed in a Darlington car park.

Darlington Borough Council hopes to have all of the town's 49 other machines converted to solar power within the next few years.

The first machine has been installed in the town's new pay and display car park in Park Lane, and is one of two that will be introduced in Darlington on a year's basis.

The 6ft high machine looks very different to traditional ticket machines and has a solar panel mounted at the top. Full sunlight is not needed to generate enough electricity to power the machines throughout the year.

The pilot scheme is part of a push to introduce more en vironmentally-friendly sche- mes to the town.

The council has already installed solar-powered bus shelter lights in some of the borough's rural areas, and councillors are aiming to install more in the town centre in the near future.

The aim is to save funds for the council and encourage other organisations to adopt more environmentally friendly schemes within the borough.

Durham City Council and Scarborough Borough Council have already installed solar-powered parking meters, which have been welcomed by residents and visitors, and Darlington council is hoping for the same sort of reaction to its initiative. Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said the council aimed to pilot similar environmental schemes in the future and hoped local businesses would follow suit.

Coun Wallis said: "Once again Darlington is proving to be a shining example of innovation and good practice, and this is something we hope to maintain and encourage throughout the borough.

"Solar-powered ticket machines are relatively new to this country and I am pleased that Darlington is one of the first councils in the region to introduce them.

"This will be a massive benefit to residents and visitors, saving money and work, and proving our drive to make the town environmentally friendly."