The leaflet, to be sent to all homes and businesses in the Upper Esk Valley, provides details of projects the group is undertaking as well as useful information on ways to save energy.

The group’s projects include a hydro scheme for the River Esk and its tributaries involving a series of small scale installations providing renewable energy to 600 homes and displacing 860 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Profits from the scheme will be ploughed back into the community to support local energy efficiency measures.

The group’s chairman Colin Mather said: “Our work to date has focused on the upper Esk Valley but we are particularly keen to attract interest from residents and businesses in the lower Esk Valley.

“Our hydro project has the potential to utilise water power at locations throughout the river’s course and we would welcome the involvement of the wider community.”

Copies of the leaflet are available in shops, surgeries, libraries and other community buildings throughout the Esk Valley.

The web-based information is available at www.eskvalleyenergy.org