SOLAR power could be used to provide hot water to homes on the Longleat Estate if a trial proves successful.

Paul Grugeon, of Horningsham, is the deputy agent of the estate and has applied to put solar panels on the roof of his home.

If the planning application goes ahead and the scheme proves cost effective, more houses on the estate could follow suit.

Mr Grugeon, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the houses, farms and forestry on the estate, had to apply for permission because the panels stood up three inches above his roof.

He said: "As the price of oil continues to go up and up we have started to look at the possibility of using solar energy for our hot water.

"If it proves a cost efficient way to heat the water then we will look into solar energy for the other houses on the estate."

The panels, built by Sarum Solar in Salisbury should provide about 50 per cent of the heat needed in the summer and around 20 per cent in the winter.