A NAILSEA church has become the first place of worship in the town to install solar panels.

Forty plates have been added to the roof of the Methodist Church, in Silver Street, in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint by 4.5 tons a year.

A grant from the national Methodist Church, along with financial gifts and loans from the congregation, paid for the alterations, made by Backwell company Solarsense.

Project co-ordinator Alan Emery said: “As a Christian community we endeavour to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.

“We also have a deep concern for those whose livelihood is threatened by changes in the climate.

“In this project we demonstrate in a small way our support for ambitious targets to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint.”

Minister, Reverend Mandy Stevens, said “It is really exciting to see the panels installed and Solarsense have been brilliant to work with.

“We are committed to being an Eco-Congregation and caring for our community and planet and this project contributes to that.”

The church was awarded Eco-Congregation status earlier this year.