A TEESDALE village is to be given a virtual transformation by a team exploring the use of renewable energy.

The village of Cockfield has been picked out by research staff from Northumbria University, in Newcastle, for a study which will look at the extent to which renewable energy could be used in the village.

The study shows that wind power could be used to generate power for homes, while solar power could be used to heat water and create electricity. Wood fuel could be used for heating and power, while heat could also be drawn from underground.

The transformation, however, remains strictly in the computers of the research team -for now.

If there is enough interest in the study, the team will apply for further funding to refine their plans and ultimately install a demonstration project in the village.

A public meeting is being held this weekend by the team, which has spent the past six months looking at how different types of renewable energy systems would be suitable for the different buildings in the village.

Residents will be invited to give their views.

Jane Welsh, from The Northern Energy Initiative, a renewable energy consultancy in Newcastle, was involved in the project, which has been led by Dr Bob Giddings and Dr Chris Underwood from the university.

Ms Welsh said of the project: "This is a fantastic opportunity to have a top-notch team of professionals spending time in Teesdale. They could have chosen anywhere in the region or England."

Cockfield was chosen for the study in part because of the work in the district by the Teesdale Renewable Energy Challenge (TREC).

TREC was formed in 2001 with the aim of giving Teesdale District a 100 per cent renewable energy supply.

Cockfield also has a mixture of homes, community buildings and businesses and, because it does not have mains gas, is still very reliant on solid fuel.

The team is drawing up computer-generated images to show how Cockfield might look if the different energy supply sources were introduced to the village.

Ms Welsh said: "Although we're all aware of the benefits of sustainable energy, we've also spent a lot of time looking at the visual impact on the community."

The public meeting starts at noon on Saturday in the community centre.