Energy-saving action at the University of Bath has saved enough electricity to power 500 homes for a year.

Over the last two years, the university has conserved more than 1,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide

That is a seven per cent fall in consumption, with the Claverton campus sports training village leading the way with a 15 per cent cut. There has also been a nine per cent fall in water use at the campus over the last year, saving 32 million litres.

Officials say new buildings on the campus have been designed to minimise their environmental impact, and the university achieved the highest possible Building Research Establishment eco-standard for its new £21 million, 355-room student block, Woodland Court.

Solar power systems have been installed as part of refurbishment work on student blocks and a green transport plan is being reviewed as part of the university's Masterplan process - work on its blueprint for the future.

Energy and environment manager Peter Phelps said: "The university takes its environmental responsibilities seriously."

He said its current carbon footprint due to energy use was about 22,000 tonnes of CO2.

"This is a significant amount and we therefore have a responsibility to reduce our environmental impact and our contribution to climate change."

The university has persuaded 55 employees to act as volunteer energy champions to raise awareness of energy use and cut consumption.

There has also been an energy-saving contest in which students compete against each other to win prizes for reducing their electricity use. Total savings over two years have added up to 250 tonnes of CO2.

The students' union and the accommodation services department have also won environmental awards.

Mr Phelps added: "Our main customers - our students - are more and more environmentally aware and increasingly expect a high performance from the university of their choice."