Council staff will be driving environmentally friendly vehicles when they are out on borough business from next week.

Richmond Council is launching a pilot scheme to provide low emission pool cars for its workers to use when they are out and about from Monday, March 23.

The cars will run on bio-fuel - recycled cooking oil - and borough chiefs hope the move will cut costs as well as reducing carbon emissions.

If the pilot scheme - believed to be a national first - is successful it will be rolled out and staff will no longer need to use their own cars for work.

Councillor David Trigg, Richmond Council cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, said it was part of the authority’s vision for a sustainable and integrated travel plan.

"Next week we will, in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), be launching London’s second Smarter Travel scheme to encourage residents and visitors to the borough to use more sustainable transport,” he continued.

“It is therefore vital that the Council leads by example. The use of bio-fuel from used cooking oil adds extra value. The Council runs its current fleet of vehicles on this fuel and this is a natural progression.

“The message is clear - fundamental changes in the way we use private, shared and public transport are needed in order to fulfil the need to cut carbon emissions and tackle global warming. It's infinitely better to tackle the issues while we still have a choice.

“Under the proposed scheme one pool car will provide transport for up to eight council officers, making a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.”