City school wants wind turbine

Wind turbines are proving more popular across the country

A school could become the first in Leicester to have a wind turbine connected up to the National Grid.

Eyres Monsell Primary School is hoping to win planning permission to put the single wind turbine in its grounds.

It hopes to save up to £300 a year on its electricity bills once the £14,500 turbine, which is 11 metres high, is installed.

Head teacher Sally Morrison said parents were against the plan at first but now 80% of them back her.

Ms Morrison said it was understandable that parents and staff were sceptical about the turbine being put up in school grounds.

They feared it would be an eyesore and make too much noise in an area where pupils would be trying to concentrate in class.

But now most support the turbine, which makes very little noise.

The turbine could generate more than 4,000 kilowatts of electricity per year.

The school is now seeking approval from the city council to become Leicester's first turbine-powered school.