Vegetable oil used to fuel park maintenance vehicles

It is hoped the use of vegetable oil will cut carbon emissions and boost biodiversity

Vegetable oil is being used to fuel park maintenance vehicles in a Worcestershire district.

The measure has been introduced in Wychavon as part of the local council's plan to reduce carbon emissions by 75% by 2030.

Hydrotreated vegetable oil has already been used to fuel some of the area's waste collection and street cleaning vehicles.

The district council has also agreed to trial stopping the use of herbicides and pesticides in all parks and green open spaces.

Tim Lewis, of Wychavon District Council, said: “We’re proud of our award-winning parks and open spaces, but maintaining them shouldn’t come at the cost of our environment.

"These new measures will support the actions we have already taken in our parks, including planting wildflower areas to help our pollinators."