STUDENTS who wowed Diversity dance stars with an energetic performance won their school a £100,000 eco-friendly makeover.

St Christopher’s Church of England High School, in Queens Road West, Accrington, will have solar panels, LED lighting, and an energy-efficient boiler installed after winning British Gas’ Generation Green competition.

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Students aged 12 and 13 had earlier danced their way to success in an action-packed final, held in Manchester, in front of Jordan and Perri from Diversity, winners of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.

They had made it to the final after submitting bright ideas on how energy-saving schools could be built in the future, seeing off competition from 500 other schools in the region.

Ideas included solar-powered computers, exercise bikes to power classroom projectors, and wristbands that charge mobile phones through movement.

Teacher Wendy Litherland said: “The children worked really hard on their designs for an eco-school of the future and the dance routine, and it’s great their efforts paid off in such a spectacular way.

“The makeover will transform our school, helping us to save energy every day and will inspire our pupils now and in the future about being green.”

Pupil Emma Bamber, 13, said: “The teachers and pupils have all worked so hard and it’s so amazing to have actually won.

“We have been fundraising to become greener so this will mean absolutely loads to the school. And it was such an incredible experience dancing in front of Jordan and Perri.”

British Gas regional director Brian Jackson added: “We’re delighted for St Christopher’s High School after their performance.

“The pupils have captured the spirit of Generation Green with their creative dance routine and imaginative ideas for an eco-school, and are now future energy innovators.”

The contest was part of British Gas’ Generation Green schools programme, which inspires children and teachers to think about energy and to reduce energy use within schools and the wider community.

British Gas invested £2.6m installing energy-saving equipment for schools through the scheme in the last two years, saving around 750 tonnes of CO2.