The mixture is pasteurised at 70C for one hour, then fed into a digester and held at 35C for 20 days. Anaerobic bacteria digest the mixture, producing methane which is used to drive the generators. These are water cooled and produce enough hot water to heat not only the plant but also to supply the heating to the town’s buildings. Managers plan eventually to offer the hot water to private residences as well as public buildings.

Graham Johnson, the plant manager said: " We are using the town as a giant radiator. The water will be pumped down a pipeline into the town and come back as cold water. That will be the end of this year, early next. First, we will be producing electricity".

Officials say that the degassed slurry removed after the process is an even better fertiliser for farmers than the original manure. Having been pasteurised, any pathogens, nematodes and weed seeds in the cow slurry have been destroyed. The liquid fertiliser left from the process contains more plant nutrients and is 100% organic.

Bad news on the motoring front. Cabinet ministers have rejected a proposal to phase out fossil fuels and to convert Britain’s cars to hydrogen power by 2025.

They have called on manufacturers to develop more efficient cars powered by petrol or diesel. Several manufacturers including BMW have already invested millions of pounds in developing emission free hydrogen engines. Environmental groups say that a rapid switch to hydrogen is essential if Britain is to meet its commitment to reducing the production of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. Road transport accounts for 22% of Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions and its share is growing.

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution wants a 60% reduction in Britain’s carbon emissions by 2050. The Carbon Trust, a government funded body that promotes low carbon technology has advised ministers that to meet this target they should ensure that hydrogen is widely used to power cars by 2050.

David Jamieson, the Minister for Transport, Local Government and the Regions said that BMW had failed to acknowledge the energy savings of hybrid vehicles which have an electric motor as well as a petrol engine. Hybrid vehicles made by Toyota and Honda are already on sale in Britain, but BMW said that its hydrogen car would not be available in showrooms until 2007.

Mr Jamieson added that renewable sources of hydrogen would not be available on a large enough scale for road transport until after 2050. He is therefore refusing to support a national network of hydrogen filling stations. He recently borrowed a Toyota Prius, a hybrid car for a weekend and was very impressed by its fuel efficiency. "I was getting just under 60 miles to the gallon. Comparable cars would be lucky to get 35". The Prius costs £16,000, about £4000 more than a conventional car of a similar size.

Helmut Panke, chairman of BMW criticised hybrid cars as a compromise. He said "Hybrid engines only shift the burden of dealing with emissions and we don’t think they are a very important alternative". He added however that motorists would have to pay a premium for the hydrogen powered BMW 7 series on top of the price of up to £57,000.

Professor Garel Rhys, the leading car industry analyst based at Cardiff University said that hybrid vehicles were a short term solution on the part of the Government which would delay the move to hydrogen. He added "A hybrid car is 15 to 20% more expensive than a vehicle with one engine. People want to be environmentally responsible but they can’t afford to be".

Prototypes of BMW’s hydrogen powered 7 series have driven 100,000 miles during development without problems. The engine can run on both hydrogen and petrol meaning that cars could be driven before a network of hydrogen filling stations was established. BP is to open Britain’s first such station in London next year when a small number of hydrogen powered buses will be introduced.

Mr Jamieson admitted that hybrid vehicles would always be more expensive than conventional cars, but he said that they offered the best chance of an early reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Pat Sykes, WGA Patron, who retired in 2001 as General Manager of Energy Projects Plus was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List for services to energy efficiency.

The medal was presented on 2nd May at Buckingham Palace by HRH Prince Charles who may have been a little surprised at being quizzed on his knowledge of renewable energy sources! Julia and Adrian accompanied Pat to the Palace.