Norfolk county council has unveiled plans to reduce its carbon footprint.

The council has signed up to the Carbon Trust’s Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to help reduce its carbon emissions.

Over the next 11 months it will work with the Carbon Trust to create and implement a plan to cut carbon output.

Officers from buildings maintenance and highway operations; transportation, environmental and capital projects; street lighting, waste management, procurement, communications and schools will all form part of the team.

Councillor Ian Monson, cabinet member for environment and waste and project sponsor for the initiative said: "It is important that in today’s green awareness climate Norfolk county council is involved in energy saving practices.

"Once the plan is drafted, a case for action will be presented to senior officers and councillors for endorsement, with carbon reductions to strive for," he added.

The launch of the Carbon Trust’s programme in London last month saw 45 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales sign up.

The trust is now working with 143 of the UK’s 468 local authorities.