GAS generated by waste in two North-East landfill sites is being turned into clean and green electricity thanks to a £1m investment.

The two sites, at St Bede's, in Birtley, and Bolam, near West Auckland, are both operated by Premier Waste Management, Durham County Council's waste disposal contractor.

The company has worked with specialist partners at each site to tap methane gas and convert it into electricity.

This is then fed into the National Grid, replacing electricity that would otherwise be generated by polluting fossil fuels.

St Bede's now generates a total of 3.2 megawatts, which is enough to power a town the size of Shildon.

Total output from Premier's landfill sites is eight megawatts, which is enough to provide electricity for every home in Durham City.

Premier's recycling director, Gary Whitehead, said: "The market for renewable energy is very healthy at the moment and we are looking to develop more energy-from-waste facilities at our landfill sites, in keeping with our strategy of helping our customers achieve the Government's challenging recycling and renewable energy targets.

"The Government, through the Renewables Obligation, is ensuring that renewable energy is a viable option.

"Without Government intervention, landfill-generated methane would just be burnt off and the UK would continue to be more dependent on burning fossil fuels for energy - adding to the greenhouse effect."

The St Bede's project is a partnership with Manchester's Natural Power Ltd, one of the UK's leading independent sustainable power generation companies. At the Bolam site, Premier's partner is renewable energy specialist CLP Envirogas.