Pupils at a primary school in Leicestershire have shown their green credentials by reducing their energy use by 38 per cent in one week.

Children from Thringstone Primary School who took part in Big Switch Off week beat other schools in the area by saving the most energy.

They reduced their output by turning off equipment such as computers, overhead projectors and interactive whiteboards at break and lunch times.

Sam Widdowson, a teacher at Thringstone Primary, said: “The children took the competition incredibly seriously and made a great effort to ensure they were saving energy. I think they have been implementing the rules at home too.”

The energy reductions equated to cost savings of around #163;15.60 for the week - about #163;811.20 over the course of one year. PA.