Some 30 schools across the West Midlands will install wind turbines and solar power systems in a multi-million pound drive to reduce carbon emissions.

The schools in Birmingham, Coventry, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Telford & Wrekin council areas are among 200 taking part in a £110m energy saving drive.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls wants all new school buildings to be zero carbon by 2016. He said: "We are taking action now to reduce carbon emissions in new school buildings while we work towards the zero carbon goal."

A typical secondary school will receive about £500,000 under the scheme to reduce carbon emissions in new school buildings.

Projects will focus on making buildings more energy efficient and using renewable energy sources.

Efficiency measures could include using low-power computers, energy-saving lighting, and better insulation. Renewable energy sources could include biomass-fuelled boilers - usually using wood - and large wind turbines.

Solar energy could be harnessed to heat water and provide electricity.