The Barnoldswick school has been named in the latest round of the group's £1m. national Green Energy for Schools scheme, which will provide free solar panels to 100 schools.

The panels, worth more than £20,000 to each school, are half funded through The Co-operative's scheme with match funding from the Government.

The rooftop solar panels will generate renewable electricity to reduce the school's reliance on fossil fuels while highlighting the issue of climate change.

A screen in the school will display how much energy the panels are generating and how much carbon dioxide they have saved. Schools will also be able to access their energy data on the Internet, along with educational materials which teachers can download.

Andrew Duckworth, of The Co-operative in Barnoldswick, said: "As well as reducing the school's carbon footprint and cutting its electricity bills, the solar panels will serve as a reminder to the whole community of the urgent need to tackle climate change."

Headteacher Graeme Lucas said: "Schools have a vital role to play in educating the next generation about climate change and using this renewable energy technology to power our own premises will really help us to bring that message home to pupils, parents and staff."