A Truro primary school has switched over to solar energy with the help of a £20,000 grant.

Bosvigo School turned on its new solar roof panels on Wednesday (November 12), thanks to funding from the Co-operative group and the Government's green energy for schools scheme.

Manager of the Co-operative's Truro store Charlie Mellow said: "This clean, silent technology will help educate pupils about green energy as well as reduce the school's reliance on fossil fuels.

"We hope the switch-on of the solar panels will give the whole community a jolt by sending out a strong message about the urgent need to do what we can to tackle climate change."

Bosvigo School is one of 100 schools across the UK to receive the panels, which should generate around 3,300kWh of electricity a year.

That is enough to power a school computer for 33,000 hours or make 180,000 cups of tea, saving around two tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Pupil Charlie Kelly said: "All of us are pleased that the solar panels on the school roof. We are looking forward to reading the monitor and logging how much electricity we are generating and how much carbon dioxide we are saving."

Headteacher Alan West added: "We are very proud to be among the schools leading the way on renewable energy through this generous Co-operative scheme.

"We are already working hard to reduce the school's carbon footprint, and switching on these rooftop panels will instantly boost our efforts while sending out a strong message about our commitment to helping the environment."