Redditch Borough Council (RBC) is to proceed with plans to reuse energy from the town's crematorium to heat the revamped Abbey Stadium Leisure Centre.

Members of the full council approved the proposal at its meeting on 7 February, which will enable work to start on diverting waste heat into the complex. It is the first project of its kind in the UK and will see 100 per cent of the energy generated from the flue gas cleaning process transferred to the leisure centre.

The scheme forms part of RBC's commitment to decrease its carbon dioxide emissions by around 4 per cent a year, as well as saving £14,560 in annual energy costs. RBC leader Carole Gandy said: "The cremation process is a sensitive matter and we wanted to be sure our proposals had widespread support.

"Throughout we have been careful to explain how the technology would work, that it is tried and trusted, and that the practice is quite common in parts of Europe and especially in Sweden." The process will provide 42 per cent of Abbey Stadium Leisure Centre's energy needs and will cost £39,000 to implement.

Image: Dyer