A World Heritage Site is embracing green technology to ensure its thousands of visitors can stay warm.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon, is installing an energy-saving ground source heat pump to provide warmth for the visitor centre on the National Trust-owned estate.

The move is part of an ongoing commitment to improving the site’s environmental performance.

The new sustainable heating system will significantly reduce the estate’s reliance on fossil fuels by replacing the gas boilers which are coming to the end of their useful existence.

The ground source heat pump loops will be fitted under the current overflow car park which the estate will develop into an additional permanent parking area which can be used in all weathers to help with demand for car parking spaces on busy days.

The National Trust has worked with energy advisors and specialists to develop plans for the new system and hopes to have completed the project by July.