The Sustainable Blacon group, working on behalf of Blacon Community Trust (BCT), has revealed plans to provide heat and power to houses and businesses in the community through an innovative energy micro-grid.

The plans form part of ongoing efforts by BCT to make impacting environmental changes and, as a result, Sustainable Blacon is now in the running for a slice of a million-pound Big Green Challenge prize fund if successful.

The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) is offering the prize to communities all over the UK who present innovative ideas to tackle climate change.

Ged Edwards, environment co-ordinator for BCT, said he hoped the efforts would help make Blacon a model for other communities and districts in the fight against climate change.

He said: "Blacon is a great place to work and live and we are striving to make it better. By ensuring that the community remains sustained, more people will want to live and work in the community.

"We want to develop an environment that will attract people to the area."

The possibility of generating heating and electricity from the natural environment using renewable resources in Blacon may be introduced through the redevelopment of The Parade, as led by the city council.

Sustainable Blacon will find out if it has been successful in obtaining the eco grant in September.

For more information about the scheme contact Ged on 01244 390344 or visit www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk