Solar panels to help swimming pools cut costs

Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of two swimming pools to help reduce energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions.

Government funding of about £255,000, granted to Worcester City Council, was used for the work on Lower Wick Swimming Pool and Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Worcester.

Perdiswell received £195,000 of the money to install the solar panels while Lower Wick was given nearly £60,000.

Andrew Massey, manager of Lower Wick, said the action had helped to lower the swimming pool's running costs.

"The solar panels will make a real difference to the success of the pool for many years to come," he added.

As part of the Perdiswell Leisure Centre project, solar panels will also be added to the roof of the sports hall, which is expected to be finished by the end of June.

Worcester City Council said the leisure centre's carbon emissions would be reduced by 84 tonnes a year once all the solar panels were in place.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.