The blazing hot summer and a drive to be more eco-friendly has prompted community leaders to install solar panels on their village hall.

Cumbria, like most other parts of the UK, has enjoyed a prolonged spell of sunshine this year and people in Wetheral, near Carlisle, have been no exception.

While the temperatures on the whole have been welcomed by those across the county it has intensified a teething problem experienced by users of Wetheral's community hall.

Shade can be difficult to find outside the hall and sun often beams into the room used by the village play school, causing "excessive" heat inside.

Attempts have been made to limit the problem of the heat coming into the building by putting up fabric sheeting to screen the windows, but everyone involved are looking for a more permanent solution.

So to address the problem the Wetheral Community Hall Association have come up with the idea of building a canopy on the south side of the building and installing solar panels on the top.

"Essentially in Wetheral we are very keen to have a gold standard community hall," said David Stephenson, chairman of the association.

"We have a hall that's very busy and it provides a lot of activities. We are also very keen we have a zero carbon footprint.

"So we thought why can't we building something, one that would provide some shade for the children giving them the opportunity for outside playing, and also to provide renewable energy?"

Mr Stephenson added: "This summer has amplified the situation.

"As a community hall we are proactive and want to run something efficient."

Plans for their solar energy project have been submitted to Carlisle City Council for consideration.

Phase one of the project would see the canopy extension built with 18 solar panels on top, with phase two placing another 82 on the hall's roof.

Funding is in place for the first part of the scheme while they are continuing to source funds for phase two.

Once in place the solar panels will reduce running costs and many other community and voluntary groups

In a design and access statement submitted to support the planning application, a spokesman for the association said: "Heating for the hall is provided by an air source hear pump which uses electricity.

"Therefore in order to offset some of the running costs in heating the hall it is proposed that the fixed section of the canopy roof proving the shading will be formed using photovoltaic panels which will also provide the weatherproof covering for the roof."