Solar power is to be harnessed by a North Somerset village hall to cut energy costs so it can maintain vital services for residents.

Farmborough Memorial Hall is to install solar panels to transform it into a sustainable and energy-efficient space after receiving a £9,000 grant from National Grid Electricity Distribution's Community Matters Fund.

The funding will help reduce the much-used hall's carbon footprint as well as energy costs, and create a model for environmentally-conscious practices within the community.

Anita Eatherden, a trustee of Farmborough Memorial Hall, said: "The grant from the Community Matters Fund will allow us to make more effective use of the electricity generated by our solar panels as it will reduce our running costs.

"We estimate a saving of more than £1,000 every year when we start our new electricity contract in 2024. This will mean that groups can continue running events which bring the community together, such as the soup lunches which are a lifeline to so many people."

National Grid's £5 million Community Matters Fund is supporting hundreds of grassroots groups across the South West, Midlands and South Wales to fight fuel poverty this winter.

Chris Hayton, Director of Corporate Affairs at National Grid, said: "Unfortunately, we know that many people will struggle to keep their homes warm this winter. At a time when addressing fuel poverty has never been more critical, our Community Matters Fund will support local groups to deliver help where it's most needed.

"We're looking forward to working with community groups like the Farmborough Memorial Hall to create positive change and to seeing the results of their hard work."