A FECKENHAM farmer is doing his bit for the environment by growing fuel for woodchip burners.

Lionel Hill, of Dunstall Court, is supplying the fuel from 50 acres of willow coppice to DEFRA for the government department's environmentally friendly woodchip boiler.

DEFRA's service in Worcester has installed the boiler to heat and provide hot water for a building on its Whittington Road base.

The move follows reports that fuel from forestry, crops and waste could reduce the nation's carbon emissions by almost three million tonnes a year if used to provide heating. It would be the equivalent of taking 3.25 million cars off the road.

Mr Hill said: "In 1985 I wanted to install central heating at Dunstall Court but was concerned that a congenitally powered system would be uneconomic in such a large old building.

"Eventually I installed my own woodchip burning heating system based on a Scandinavian design.

"I planted my first five acres of willow in 1990 to meet my own fuel needs and now have more than 50 acres which is harvested in the winter months using a standard forest harvester."

Geoff Howe, from the rural development service, who has been working with Mr Hill on expanding bio-mass production, said willow plantations were good for wildlife.

He added: "Bio-mass fuels are capable of providing a genuine alternative crop for farmers which can help the rural economy and employment opportunities. It is also a very positive move for the environment, supporting wildlife whilst helping tackle carbon emissions and the threat of global warming."