HYNDBURN residents are being urged to back renewable energy by investing in a hydroelectricity plant.

The method, where electricity is generated from falling water, will be explained at an event to be held by the Prospects Foundation, and Whalley Community Hydro (WCH), next week.

The WCH wants to build a generator on the south side of the River Calder, and representatives will explain how surplus income from the plant will be used to fund more renewable energy and carbon reduction schemes.

Local people are also being offered the opportunity to invest in the community enterprise, because £750,000 needs to be raised from the sale of shares.

Ian Plested, from the Prospects Foundation, said: “We need to build great community resilience to cope with reduced future availability of fossil fuels, and adapt to climate change.”

The event will be held at the Prospects Environment Centre, in Broadway, Accrington, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, November 19.

Booking is essential. Call 01254 230348, or email barbara.sharples@prospectsfoundation.org.uk For more information about the scheme, visit www.whalleyhydro.co.uk