A CENTRE which provides training and work activities for people with learning disabilities has installed a new green energy boiler.

The biomass boiler at Northdale Horticulture in Northallerton came on stream after Richmond MP Rishi Sunak cut the tape to declare it operational.

Northdale found the money for the new boiler from its regular fundraising efforts. Because the boiler uses wood pellets as fuel it benefits from the Government’s renewable heat incentive.

The payments the charity will receive under the scheme, which is designed to encourage green energy, will mean the new boiler will be paid for in four to five years.

After cutting the ribbon, Mr Sunak said: “Northdale is a great organisation providing a valuable service to our community. I love visiting the centre’s shop with my family. It was great honour to declare the new boiler open.”

Northdale manager Simon Cross said: “Mr Sunak has shown a keen interest in what we do here at Northdale since he was elected and we were pleased he could find the time to visit us again.”

Northdale, on Yafforth Road, provides garden nursery work, landscape gardening, woodwork and arts and crafts activities for its clients.

The boiler was installed by Stockton company Marshall and McCourt.