FIVE York schools are to receive thousands of pounds in grant aid after signing up to an energy-saving pilot scheme.

Joseph Rowntree School, and Haxby Road, Huntington, Park Grove and St Aelred's Primary Schools all took part in the School Energy Certification Pilot Scheme.

Each receives a £1,000 "thank-you" and will get grant aid towards making their schools more energy efficient.

The scheme encourages schools to carry out energy audits then to take action to cut energy costs. Measures have included everything from fitting low-energy light bulbs to converting from gas to oil-fuelled heating.

The success of the pilot scheme has prompted the national Energy Saving Trust to launch a national certification scheme later this year.

Updated: 09:47 Wednesday, June 19, 2002