SCHOOL boilers across County Durham could be converted to burn wood pellets in an attempt to cut carbon dioxide emissions blamed for global warming.

The county council's cabinet was told that 1,800 tonnes of C02 emissions would be prevented if all the county's schools switched from burning solid fuel to pellets produced at a recycling centre, in Coxhoe.

It would also reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide.

Councillors were told that equipment capable of burning pellets cost considerably more than conventional boilers.

Deputy chief executive Andrew North said: "At Cassop Primary School the existing oil fuel boiler was replaced at £68,700 in 2003 with a new multi-purpose wood pellet fuel burner.

"A conventional gas boiler replacement with similar capacity would have cost circa £35,000. Therefore an extra £34,000 is needed to install a wood fuel boiler when compared with a new gas boiler system."

He added that solid fuel boilers could be converted to wood burning for less than £10,000 and that the cost of gas and heating oil was rising, making the slightly more expensive wood pellet fuel more competitive.

Mr North said wood-burning boilers were longer last-ing and needed less maintenance.

Grants were available to switch to the fuel. They could accrue savings in the longer term.

Councillors have agreed to install multi-purpose boilers, which can burn pellets and conventional fuel, in new schools and replace or convert solid fuel boilers if viable.

Mr North said that in the past, plans for wood pellet burning boilers had been the first casualty if costs had to be reduced.

Cabinet member for education Neil Foster said the council had to build on the good work it had done at schools such as Cassop Primary