A COMMUNITY group has been awarded around £140,000 to convert an abandoned pub into an eco-restaurant and coffee shop.

The Meadows Partnership Trust also plans to assess 100 homes for energy efficiency measures and to provide renewable energy installations, such as solar panels and insulation to 20 of the most vulnerable households.

The group found out last night it had been successful in its bid from the British Gas Green Streets energy fund.

The project had to pitch against three other projects in the East Midlands in front of a selection panel made up experts from the Centre for Alternative Technology, British Gas and the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr). The event was held in Leicester.

In total, almost 100 projects from across the UK applied for the British Gas Green Streets initiative, where a total of £2 million will be invested in community energy projects across the country.

The four projects in the East Midlands were judged according to their potential for energy efficiency savings across the entire community, on renewable power generation and their ability to engage the support of local residents.

Jacqueline Dobson, community regeneration manager at The Meadows Partnership Trust, said: "We are delighted to have won this funding for all the people in The Meadows. Too often our community hits the headlines for the wrong reasons.

"Through Green Streets we are determined to create a carbon neutral community which inspires pride among all our residents."

Scott Boose, of British Gas, said: "What really impressed the judging panel was The Meadows' passion and vision.

"Through making a focal point of their disused community pub they are trying to drive the regeneration and revitalisation of an entire community. We are looking forward to working with them to make this a reality."

The Meadows Partnership Trust is one of 14 projects from across the UK who will all receive a share of the £2m funding.

Next year, the projects will go head-to-head in a number of challenges to reduce energy use, generate local energy and increase support amongst members of their own community.

Their progress will be monitored for a year by the ippr think-tank and the project crowned Britain's greenest community after a year stands to win a further £100,000 in funding from British Gas.