ENERGY-SAVING youngsters are celebrating after their school won a wind turbine in a national competition.

Wolsingham School and Community College is one of 100 schools across the UK to win a an energy-efficient PC and a turbine big enough to power it.

The competition, which was run by ICT supplier RM, invited schools to submit proposals for how they would use the kits.

The Weardale school is planning to use the equipment as part of an ongoing drive to make the school more energy efficient.

Sue Lister, raising achievement science teacher, said: "We are delighted to have won such an innovative combination of modern, sustainable equipment.

"As part of a focused unit of work we are introducing the idea of how to make our school more environmentally friendly and cut energy usage.

"We are planning on using the equipment across the curriculum, one example being the maths department looking at amounts of energy reduction and money saved.

We will also be looking at carbon footprints and how to become carbon neutral."

The PC uses up to 66 per cent less energy than standard desktop systems.

The turbine will be built in a garden at the school, which is under construction.

Tim Pearson, chief executive officer at RM, said: "UK schools and colleges release up to four million tonnes of CO2 a year and school utility costs have more than doubled in the past four years.

"As places of learning, I am heartened that schools lead by example in teaching students about the threat of climate change and how to tackle it.

"We are delighted to be able to offer the opportunity for the next generation to learn about renewable energy in a positive and constructive way."