Church is earmarked for environment improvements

Reverend Canon Edward Carter said: "We're a grade I listed building so to get permission to do something as significant as solar panels is obviously quite a challenge."

Planned improvements to make a church more environmentally friendly are a "sign of hope for the future", a clergyman said.

St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich city centre is to receive solar panels, a new LED lighting system and a heat pump to replace its old gas boiler.

Installation will take three months. The work with is part of the General Synod's plans to help the Church of England reach net zero on its carbon footprint by 2030.

Reverend Canon Edward Carter said: "For me, God is so interested in the world and us taking care of the world and us being able to flourish... so the church to demonstrate that is a sign of hope for the future."