NORTH Staffordshire Green Party feels Moorlands residents could learn from the example set by people from a remote part of Scotland.

From this month the island of Eigg switched on mains electricity for the first time.

A £1.6 million project has seen three hydro-electric schemes, a four-turbine wind farm and a solar energy development created to bring power to 45 homes, 20 business and six community buildings.

"The Staffordshire Moorlands has similar natural resources to those available on Eigg," said Green Party spokesman Professor Andy Dobson.

"It has water for hydroelectric schemes, pastoral farmland with windy hilltops and probably more sunny days.

"The islanders have a clean and reliable power source, and are not beholden to those who once delivered their diesel, as we are becoming increasingly beholden to foreign nations fror our energy.

"Such small-scale bottom-up projects mean income generated from such schemes is kept in the local community.

"Anyone interested in establishing a similar scheme in North Staffordshire can contact us at nsgreenparty@googlemail.com or by ringing 01782-502297."