Blandford Police Station has become the first in Dorset to be fitted with energy saving solar panels.

Last month, Blandford Police Station became the first police station in the county to be part powered by solar panels.

The energy efficient panels were constructed on the roof of the building as part of improvements to the station to replace a defective generator.

The solar panels will help Dorset Police to reduce their carbon footprint as well as provide approximately 10 per cent of the annual electrical consumption for the building.

The new panels are expected to save the force around £1,850 per year.

Assistant chief officer, John Jones, is responsible for Dorset Police building services and finance.

He said: “The force is committed to being accountable for minimising the impact of its operation on the environment, balancing the needs of the environment with operational obligations and available resources.

“Where the structure, geography and timing is right we try to add efficiency saving measures such as economical boilers, light fittings or in this case, solar panels.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill said: “As government funding for policing continues to reduce, energy efficiency will provide savings for the force as well as reducing our carbon footprint.

“We are always looking at options to become more sustainable and this opportunity allows us to utilise unused roof space to generate energy for the station.”