Kids' fact-finding tour of giant Drax power station

More than 150 year seven pupils from Swinton Community School were given a guided tour of the giant electricity station, near Selby, North Yorkshire, during a trip to its visitors' centre.

The visit was part of a project which aims to provoke debate about the environment and issues surrounding energy production.

Teacher Chris Brookes said: “It was great for the entire year to get the chance to go to Drax and see, hear and experience the things that we have been debating in class.

“It really was thought-provoking to see the vast amounts of coal that are constantly being brought to the site by train to maintain the supply of electricity.”

The visiting pupils got a first-hand look at Drax’s new biomass-powered generators and a scheme to use ash deposits from the coal-fired system to create a unique habitat for wildlife in the area.

Mr Brookes added: “The team at Drax were very keen for us to see the mounds of ash that they had piled up nearby and had actually planted trees on.

“While we were there the children actually spotted a fox and a small deer so it seems as if their efforts are bearing fruit.”