A new fixture on the Darlington skyline is helping to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The wind turbine at the Environment Agency's depot in the town will save the equivalent of a small house's CO2 emissions each year and is part of efforts regionally and nationally to cut energy consumption and waste across the organisation.

It is hoped the turbine can generate about 20% of the depot's electricity needs, cutting its carbon footprint as well as saving on power use and fuel bills.

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The turbine, which is 15m high with blades 9m in diameter, can generate 15kw of electricity and is the first on Environment Agency premises in the Yorkshire and North East region.

It is thought to be the first in Darlington and the town's MP, Alan Milburn, visited the depot to officially switch on the new technology.

"I welcome the Environment Agency's commitment to cutting its carbon footprint and the steps it is taking to do this," said Mr Milburn.

"I would encourage businesses and householders to follow its lead and look at how they can make their properties greener. We must all do what we can to save energy and reduce waste, which can also save money on bills."

The Darlington depot has other sources of renewable energy, including solar panels to generate electricity and photo-voltaic panels to heat water.

(CD/JM)