A LEAFY woodland park in Billingham is to be the unlikely setting for a new sustainable energy project.

Stockton Borough Council plans to install a wind turbine and light-activated panels at the Cowpen Bewley woodland park.

The project will begin in the spring and, once completed, there will be outdoor information panels and interpretation panels in the visitor centre, to show how much power is being generated.

It is hoped that the project will lead to a 50 per cent reduction in the visitor centre's energy bills, saving more than five-and-a-half tones of carbon emissions a year.

Schools and members of the public will be encouraged to visit to see the new installations and learn how they can adopt a more energy-efficient lifestyle.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "This is a wonderful scheme and one that we can use as a demonstration of best practice for other council and community buildings across the area.

"The substantial area of new woodland in the park has made a positive environmental impact on Billingham, and this latest sustainable energy project is further evidence of the council's commitment to environmental management."