AN energy consultant in East Lancashire has drawn up plans for a 'power basket' based entirely on renewables sources.

Businesswise Solutions, in Nelson, is urging firms to play their small part in climate change by switching to greener alternatives.

And if more sign up, it will help meet Whitehall ambitions for commerce and industry to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Frazer Durris, Businesswise's managing director, said: "Previously access to competitive renewable energy products has long been monopolised by some of the largest corporations, or only available to small and medium sized businesses at a premium.

"But we're working together with businesses to help embrace the switch to a 100 per cent wind-based energy option that won't cost companies the earth - but might just help save it."

An initial short-term target will see the firm pool energy requirements of around 100 gigawatt hours and convert that from 'brown' to renewable sources.

This would result in a reduction of 16 kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to exhaust gases emitted by 3,000 cars each year.

Miranda Barker, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: "This a fantastic news for the area."