Mayor gives energy job to Woking solar expert

The blueprint for cutting carbon dioxide emissions can be found in Woking, Mayor Ken Livingstone believes.

This week he appointed Allan Jones, Woking Borough Council's energy expert, to a £90,000 post heading London's climate change agency.

Woking has nearly 10 per cent of Britain's solar energy panels and it is also testing a new type of domestic heating system using a condensed boiler that combines heat and power. It is believed the projects have already led to savings of over ?4.7 million for the council.

The town centre, including the council offices and even the local Holiday Inn, is entirely energy self-sufficient.

Announcing the appointment, Mr Livingstone said: "Not only do large cities have a duty to reduce their carbon emissions but, as Allan Jones has shown at Woking, becoming more energy-efficient can save local authorities money."