A West Dorset village hall is to benefit from free energy from the sun after Dorset Council approved a planning request for solar panels.

The 18 panels are expected to be fitted to the south-facing roof of Long Bredy Village Hall, between Bridport and Dorchester.

Together, on a good day, they will capable of producing 7.5kW of power.

The panels will be fitted to the Abbotsbury Lane building, which is attached to the grade II listed Long Bredy House.

The site is within the village conservation area and the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty although planning agents argued that the panels will only be visible from a very short section of Abbotsbury Road, directly adjacent to the site.