A REMOTE youth hostel has become the first in the country to win an environmental award from the Youth Hostel Association.

Langdon Beck Youth Hostel, in Teesdale, County Durham, has been given Green Beacon designation for its innovative forms of recycling and renewable energy. These include solar panels to heat water and plans for a wind turbine which could provide up to 40 per cent of the hostel's electricity.

Hostel manager Ewan Boyd and his wife, Jane, have run the hostel for more than 12 years. Their hands-on approach to promoting renewable energy has earned many favourable comments from visitors.

Mr Boyd said: "One of the things we've always stressed is that first and foremost, we are a youth hostel.

"We like to show people that renewable energy systems can work. People really wake up to renewable energy when it becomes a cost issue.

"People who might not be interested in environmental matters get interested when they see you can have a nice warm house and save money."

The hostel cut its carbon dioxide emissions from 38 tonnes to 23 tonnes in one year, and hopes to save more in the coming year.

Environmental projects at the hostel include a reedbed which helps to filter the hostel's septic tank and a programme which recycles 50 per cent of the waste.

The 2.5 kilowatt wind turbine is to be installed by Easter, and Mr Boyd is looking at replacing the hostel's oil burner with a wood pellet burner.

There are plans to convert the washrooms to ultra-low water systems and to install a rain water harvesting system to provide water for toilet flushing.

A computer-based energy monitoring system, is also being installed. This will enable detailed measurements to be taken of the various energy sources and analyse where energy is being used.

Mr Boyd said: "It was great to get the Green Beacon designation as it's been a lot of hard work. We've had a lot of help from the Leader Plus programme, and the Government's Clear Skies programme, so it's a big thank you to them as well.