CHILDREN have been inspired to go green thanks to a £10,000 lottery grant.

An educational ‘open café’ was held at the village hall in Portesham to help residents and their children learn how to raise their eco-friendly credentials in a fun and friendly way.

Science Advisor Ian Coleman was invited to share his expertise with people, and led a variety of mini-workshops where children were able to get hands-on experience of creating renewable energy.

Mr Coleman brought a number of interactive kits for youngsters, where they were able to build a house that uses renewable electricity through solar panels.

Commenting on the kits, Ian Bullock, Chairman of the Village Hall Committee in Portesham, said: “They’re great because they really get across to children how to make energy.”

Mr Bullock was particularly pleased with how positively the younger generation responded to the day’s events.

He said: “It was lovely because children are so much more inquisitive than adults.

“The children had great fun, as you can imagine, with a little man riding a bike to power a windmill.”

In addition to learning about solar panels, there were also opportunities to learn about the energy field more generally.

Information on the upcoming recycling collection service which is expected to be launched across Dorset between late 2012 and 2015 was also made available.

Mr Bullock explained how the inspiration struck, saying: “Really the idea came from the fact that Portesham people, like many, rely heavily on oil for their energy and as you’ll know the cost of oil is going up.”