A £93,000 SCHEME to harness energy from the River Tamar and use it to power the mill at the historic estate at Cotehele will officially be opened by television presenter and environmentalist Dick Strawbridge on Saturday.

This exciting example of renewable energy will act as a showcase to all those interested in hydro-electric power and visitors will be able to walk right up to the powerhouse and look at the turbine inside.

The hydro scheme will work alongside the working watermill that will continue to mill during the season on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The project started in 2007 when the National Trust's Cotehele Mill was granted £72,500 to install a hydro-electric scheme and restore the bakery that was once at the mill.

Subsequent funding of £20,500 was also gained from the East Cornwall Local Action Group to help restore the bakery.

The scheme will generate enough electricity for the mill and workshops and any excess will be sold back to the National Grid. In total the scheme will save 4.7 tonnes of carbon being emitted into the atmosphere.

The Mill used to have a bakery until world war one and the restored room will now run bakery demonstrations to get people interested in home baking and bakery courses.

There will be family activities and events throughout the year. The trust also aims to promote the use of local ingredients, such as the wholemeal flour that is milled at Cotehele.

Both elements of the project are geared towards education and giving visitors something extra to see while at the mill.

Visitors will be welcome from 11am on Sunday and special guest Dick Strawbridge will be at the mill until about 1pm.

Cotehele Mill is open until October 30 everyday from 11am to 5pm.