Primary children in Bath and North East Somerset saved more than two tonnes of carbon as part of a campaign to cut the amount of electricity they use.

About 12 schools saved more than 4,000 kW hours during the two-week Energy Power Down campaign, part of the council’s Eco-Schools programme being run by Resource Futures on behalf of the council.

Pupils initially used electricity-monitoring equipment to record their energy consumption over two weeks. During the campaign, they took a range of actions to reduce energy use; on average, savings totalled 16 per cent.

The Energy Power Down message will be taken to at least 12 more schools later this year.

Pupils composed rap songs and drew comic strips, posters and leaflets for parents. They gave talks to encourage people to switch off lights, electronic whiteboards and computers when not needed and to check heaters.

Jane Geernaert, Year 4 class teacher at St Nicholas Primary, in Radstock, said: “We made the whole school aware of saving energy and environmental issues.”

Karen Crosse, bursar at St Michael’s Junior School in Bath, said: “This was the start. We are moving on now to think about bigger ways to save energy.” km.