RSPB and Lightsource Renewable Energy have teamed up and want local children to design a bird or bat box in the hope of winning free solar energy installation for their school.

The prize worth over £10,000 will have the capability to reduce the school’s electricity bill so it can be reinvested in children’s learning.

Children are encouraged to be creative and draw their design which will be submitted to a specially selected judging panel. The shortlisted finalists will then bring their designs to life by producing their drawings and an overall winner in each of the 12 regions in the UK will be chosen to receive the solar installation provided completely free by Lightsource.

A recent State of Nature survey revealed a 60 per cent decline in more than 3,000 native species of plants and animals. Targeted conservation has produced encouraging results, and the RSPB wants to give nature a home on solar installations across the country with the final shortlist being able to place their made designs on a solar farm.

For more information on the work the RSPB do please visit their website at rspb.org.uk or for information about Lightsource and the competition visit www.lightsource-re.co.uk.