Schools in Bradford have been given a £3.4 million boost to invest in ways of saving energy and water.

The money is part of a £35.3 million cash advance in the North announced yesterday by the Government.

Bradford Council is being encouraged to cut energy bills in the district's schools by putting money into sustainable measures such as renewable energy and in modern kitchens.

The Department for Education and Skills has also provided schools with its "top ten tips" which promote simple measures such as investing in lagging pipes and energy-efficient lighting to upgrading heating controls.

It also suggests installing renewable energy systems, like wind turbines and solar heating.

A spokesman for the Council welcomed the news of the advance funding but said no decision had been made as to exactly how it would be spent.

She said a number of energy efficiency plans were already in the pipeline throughout the district including small wind turbines at schools such as Thornton Primary, Thornton Grammar, Queensbury and Denholme Primary.

Schools will need to publicly display their energy performance ratings soon, in a similar scheme to one the Council is running in 20 of its civic and leisure buildings.

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "We want schools to be fit for the 21st century.

"By investing in energy and water conservation measures, schools can spend more on teaching equipment and staff - that's why we are asking local authorities to prioritise sustainable improvements in their education facilities.

"We want schools to lead their communities in cutting carbon dioxide emissions and reducing demand on finite natural resources. Investment in kitchens will also help schools provide hot meals produced on site."

Schools represent 15 per cent of public sector greenhouse gas emissions and two per cent of the UK total.

The capital is being advanced by re-allocating funds from programmes where there have been some delays, including Building Schools for the Future which aims to rebuild and renew every secondary school in England within 15 years.

l Last year the Telegraph & Argus reported how pupils at a school in Liversedge saw a wind turbine being installed to provide about ten per cent of the school's energy needs. The £65,000 turbine was put in place at Spen Valley Sports College and has since won a Government award.

It was selected as one of the ten best clean, green energy projects of 2005.

The turbine should shave about £2,000 off the school's energy bills a year.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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