OSWESTRY Town Council has taken a step towards its target of being carbon neutral by 2030 by installing solar panels on the roof of one its biggest buildings.

The council has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by the start of the next decade and has now installed a solar array on the roof of the Powis Hall Indoor Market, on the Bailey Head.

The council was successful in applying for a grant from Marches Renewable Energy for 50 per cent of the cost of installing the 92kWp array.

Simon Cranmer, operations manager at Oswestry Town Council, said: "This installation will supply cheap ultra-low carbon electricity to the building and back to the grid for the next 20 years.

"It is estimated it will generate an annual yield of 71,902 kWh per year, enough to toast two-and-a-half million pieces of bread.

“We’re delighted to have completed this energy-saving project on-time and on-budget and would like to thank the contractor, ZLC, for a speedy installation.

"Also, the Marches Energy Agency for their support in the tender and grant application and of course Marches Renewable Energy for their funding support.

"We look forward to delivering further sustainability initiatives in the coming years.”