Residents of Glencarse, Perthshire, have shown the Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead how Scottish Government funding has installed energy saving measures to reduce carbon emissions in the local community hall.

While creating a warmer hall, heat loss has been reduced and a more efficient heating and lighting system has been fitted.

The group received over £30,000 from the Climate Challenge Fund(CCF) towards a wet central heating system, insulated shutters, double glazed doors and window winding gear, energy efficient lighting and insulation

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Richard Lochhead said: "The residents of Glencarse can now enjoy a community hall that will emit less carbon and lower running costs. I hope to see such good practice replicated in other community buildings throughout Scotland."

A variety of activities are run in the hall, particularly the Burns Night supper which is a large occasion in the area. The local primary school intend also to make educational visits to the facility to learn about energy efficiency.

The Climate Challenge Fund is worth nearly £30 million over the three years 2008-11. The next round of CCF projects are due to be announced at the beginning of December.

The Scottish Government's world-leading Climate Change (Scotland) Act introduces a statutory target to reduce Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 and establishes an interim target of at least 42% emissions reductions by 2020.

(GK/BMcc)