PUPILS at Lakers School are trying to become more environmentally aware by bidding to become the first Forest school with its own on-site wind turbine.

The secondary school in Five Acres, near Coleford, has applied for planning permission to install the £30,000 turbine which will generate six kilowatts of electricity – enough to power two houses.

Stephen Lester, Lakers' business manager said: "It is a fairly small sized unit and will principally be used as an educational tool for various parts of the curriculum like science, geography and social sciences.

"I think we will be the first school in the Forest who are thinking about installing one and it won't actually cost us anything if it goes ahead.

"Through the generous support of Coleford Town Council, a number of energy companies and the Government, we shouldn't have to pay a penny."

The turbine, which stands 17.75m high, would be built in the school grounds on the edge of the playing fields.

Mr Lester said: "It would go by the playing fields at the back of the school and in an area where it isn't looked over by neighbours.

"We have consulted with students and staff and we think it is the most appropriate place."

Mr Lester says the turbine could also benefit the green-thinking students in their work not just the environment.

"It will help students to learn about the environment and related topics. We already measure wind speeds and have a weather station to monitor, which also monitors windfall," he said.

"Traditionally the environment was just taught in science but now it is becoming more and more important and is looked at by students in all sorts of classes to look at how we can reduce energy consumption in the school and things like that.

"So this turbine would be a great educational tool for the school, " he said.

The planning application should be looked at by Forest of Dean District Council by March 10.

A council spokesman said: "The district council is encouraging renewable energy initiatives such as this but this application will still have to go through the usual planning procedures."