YOUNGSTERS at a Brixham primary school are planning to plug into the Sun as part of an exciting environmental project.

Eden Park Primary has secured a £25,000 grant towards installing solar panels to offset its electricity bill.

The grant, provided by the Low Carbon Building Initiative, must be match funded and the school is currently in the process of bidding for more money.

If successful, the solar panels will be fitted to the roof of the Key Stage I building and should save the school around £1,000 a year in electricity bills.

As part of the school's commitment to renewable energy and sustainability, all pupils will be taking part in an environmental project this term, incorporating recycling, science and how to save energy.

Headteacher Ken Kies said the project will culminate in an exhibition for parents which will aim to pass on the sustainability message to the community.

He said: "The idea of our environmental project and solar panel bid has come about through our link with Churston Ferrers Grammar School, our school council and our links with a school in Peru which is working on environmental issues too.

"We have been inspired by what the school in Peru has done and we thought if they can do it on their limited budget we can make a difference too.

"I am so excited about the enthusiasm of the whole school community, from the governors who are all totally behind it, the staff who have all agreed to take it on meaning quite a lot of work, and the children who have been thinking up ways we can save energy. It's made me think we really can do this."

The project was launched by a visit to the school by the Quantum Theatre Company which uses drama and humour to bring sustainability issues to life.

Eden Park has submitted a bid for match funding for the solar panels to EDF Energy and hopes to hear later this term if it has been successful.

Mr Kies added: "If not, we won't be giving up, we will be looking at other sources of matching funding including Torbay Council."

As well as making substantial savings on their energy bill, the solar panels will also provide enough electricity to sell to the National Grid.

The system will raise awareness of renewable energy to the pupils via a large LED visual display in the school's main entrance.

It will show instantaneous kilowatt readings along with the total kilowatt-hours produced by the solar panels and the amount of carbon dioxide that has been saved, estimated at around 3.5 tonnes a year.