SOLAR panels could be attached to roofs in Pendle in a pioneering move that could slash heating bills by up to 60 per cent.

Plans have been drawn up to fit solar panels to six to 10 homes in the borough to assess their effectiveness.

A report will go before members of the council's executive on Thursday and if it is approved officers will begin canvassing tenants to see where the panels could be installed.

The project is part of a partnership scheme between the council, Scottish Power and Home Insulation Services which would see the hand-made panels, which look like small windows, installed for £2,500 each.

Through the partnership, the council has also received 2,000 low energy light bulbs and 200 high-efficiency kettles free of charge, with the proviso that they must be distributed to low-income households.

If the solar panels scheme gets the green light, officers will consult tenants' representatives to assess where the panels might be wanted.

The panels work best on south-facing homes with no trees obstructing the sunlight and people who are at home during the day would be likely to see the most benefit from the solar panel scheme.

The results would be then be examined to decide whether or not the scheme should be rolled out across the borough.

Participating tenants would be able to opt to have the panels removed.

Housing and community services manager Ian Broughton said: "The panels are hand-made and contain metal which reacts to the sunlight.

"We believe they could reduce heating bills by up to 60 per cent so it's a very exciting initiative and Pendle is one of only a handful of local authorities involved."