CALSTOCK Community Primary School has started ten months of fundraising activities aimed at raising £17,000 to buy and install solar panels as part of an innovative Solar Schools project.

The village school of 76 pupils, aged between four and 11, is one of only 15 schools nationally to gain a place on the Solar Schools scheme this year, after more than 260 registered their interest.

The project, run by the carbon cutting campaign 10:10 in partnership with 100% renewable electricity company Good Energy, provides schools with all the free tools and training they need to raise the cost of installing solar panels. It also helps schoolchildren learn first-hand about renewable energy, climate change and energy efficiency.

Once installed, the solar panels will generate clean electricity, help cut the school's energy bills and generate additional income which will be put back into the school's budget.

Headteacher Vicki Rigby told the Times: 'We are thrilled to have been chosen as one of this year's Solar Schools. Having solar panels will significantly reduce our £4,000 electricity bill and the savings will be spent on subsidising the cost of school trips, adding to our library of specialist dyslexia books, musical instruments and lessons.

'We are a small village school and we are hoping the whole community is going to get behind us, doing our bit to tackle climate change and teaching our pupils about the importance of saving energy.'

Calstock's children are aiming to reach their target of £17,000 to buy 10kW of solar panels, which could earn the school more than £2,000 a year for the next 20 years.

The amount is represented on a 'virtual roof' of solar panels on the web page http://www.solarschools.org.uk/calstock">www.solarschools.org.uk/calstock where each tile represents £5. These can be personalised with a photo or message of support from the purchaser. For £100, a business can add a link too, making for a great advert.

Amy Cameron, the Solar Schools' campaign manager, said: 'Calstock School more than earned its place on the Solar Schools project thanks to its passion, commitment and some great ideas for raising that cash.

It's going to be a big challenge, but we know that if Calstock gets behind the school, it is more than capable of doing it.'

The children are asking the whole community to get involved, and plan a variety of activities and events throughout the year, including sponsored challenges, a silent auction, a bedtime story at school, a teddy bear go-cart race, a family 'camp-on-the-field', raffle, fairs, parents'and children's talent show and a barn dance.

Anyone wanting to support the project can donate directly at http://www.solarschools.org.uk/calstock">www.solarschools.org.uk/calstock or can buy Solar Schools vouchers (multiples of £5) from the school or send a donation to Calstock CP School, Back Road, Calstock, Cornwall, PL18 9QL.