Allotments get power from turbine

The wind turbine cost nearly £7,000 to install

A group of allotments in Leicester have had a wind turbine installed to provide power for users.

The site on Rowley Fields got the mini turbine because its elevated and open location made it suitable.

Funded mainly by the city council, the 20ft (6.1m) mast, the first of its kind in the area, cost just under £7,000.

The allotment holders said they were pleased about power for lights and power tools but were especially happy they could now boil water for tea.

Paul Howgill, allotments' society secretary at Rowley Fields, said the site was almost perfect despite some problems from nearby homes.

Initially, there was one objection to the turbine plans and it was decided, after feedback from residents, that the wind turbine be moved a further 30 yards (27m) from houses.

Mr Howgill said: "They wind turbine has some maintenance issues and the battery needs replacing in about nine years, but when we flick the switch, it is not going to cost us anything.

"It will give us lighting so we can do more work in late summer and autumn but also for laptops, which we increasingly use for record keeping and educational sessions."