A CENTURY-OLD former cottage hospital has installed a clean energy system to replace its oil-fired boilers that were "too expensive to run".

The former Winsford Cottage Hospital at Halwill Junction, designed by architects CFA Voysey, has been a community centre since it was acquired from the NHS in 1999.

The central heating system had become increasingly costly to the point where it could not be used regularly. This was beginning to put the historic interior fabric of the building at risk.

Now a wood pellet boiler has been installed by renewable energy specialists, Solarsense, as part of a £1.5 million restoration programme by the Winsford Trust.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.