A PEMBROKESHIRE community's Objective One-funded rural energy scheme was hailed a roaring success by National Assembly minister for economic development and transport, Andrew Davies.

The minister recently visited a cluster of three sites at Crymych which are fuelled by biomass wood pellet boilers.

The project attracted Objective One funding of £55,761 towards the £102,787 scheme and was also funded by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's sustainable development (SDF) funding.

Andrew Davies, said: "This community project will carry out important research into alternative methods to reduce the harmful effects of global warming.

"The outcome is expected to bring a range of economic and environmental benefits, including diversification opportunities for land management and increased take-up of alternative energy technologies, leading to a healthier and cleaner environment."

The sites at Crymych include Ysgol y Preseli, the leisure centre, and Crymych county primary school.

The installations provide 70% of the heating and hot water requirements and the remaining existing oil boilers will be used only to supplement heating in severe weather or during maintenance servicing periods.

By evaluating and improving the use of biomass, it will hopefully encourage local as well as national farmers and landowners to diversify and offer an alternative energy source.

The installation of the biomass wood pellet boilers by Pembrokeshire County Council was completed in January 2004.

Building on the original project, the council has since installed a further 142kw biomass wood pellet boiler to serve a new two-storey extension at Ysgol y Preseli and will also install a 100kw biomass wood pellet boiler in an extension to Crymych county primary school.