Pupils at a Barnet school are celebrating the arrival of a new wind turbine, which has risen phoenix-like from the ashes of a fire.

Frith Manor Primary School, in Lullington Garth, Woodside Park, raised the 12-metre turbine on January 30 as part of its new energy policy.

The decision to use sustainable energy sources was made after a 2002 blaze destroyed most of the original school. The turbine joins 38 solar panels, fitted to the roof of the nursery last November, to help generate electricity and hot water.

Through the use of solar and wind power, the school will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 1.6 tonnes each year, saving some £1,600 on fuel costs.

Teacher and project leader Sonia Rush said: "It is important for children to be aware of the need to save electricity. Having renewable energy in our school is a brilliant way to show young people what can be done to help the environment.

"We already have an eco committee and the children are fully involved in paper recycling, composting, energy and water-saving. This was the next step."

As part of the rebuild, the school has fitted port holes to reduce the need for lights during the daytime and timer-switches that turn the power off automatically after the last person has left a room. Other environmental features include push-top taps, modern insulation and draft excluders.

The £52,000 project was funded by £30,000 from EDF Energy's Green Fund and £22,000 from the Government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which provides grants for the installation of carbon-friendly technologies in public and private buildings.

EDF Energy director Peter Hofman said: "As we face up to the challenges of global warming, education has a key role to play in shaping attitudes towards energy generation, consumption and efficiency.

"School buildings account for a considerable amount of power use and this equipment will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while bringing lessons on climate change to life."