STUDENTS from a North Yorkshire college could play a vital role in research into alternative sources of energy.

The Royal Society, the national academy of science, has awarded Ampleforth College a grant to cover the cost of an investigation of the effectiveness of wind and solar power, helped by Newcastle University's Professor Ian Fells.

The school has already established a weather monitoring station and work done so far was presented at an international conference on oceanography and meteorology in Madrid on Sunday and Monday.

However, it is understood the school's success also helped unlock the most recent grant from the Royal Society, whose president, Lord May, congratulated the students on their achievements.

He said: "This is an exciting project that will give pupils the chance to work alongside a professional scientist.

"I hope this experience will inspire more schoolchildren to pursue a career in science and engineering.''

The £2,200 grant will be used to pay for a computerised wind turbine and solar-powered station.

The station will assist with monitoring the effectiveness of alternative energy sources available on campus.