Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 01 May 2008

PUPILS from a Maryport junior school have named a boat that will maintain the offshore Robin Rigg windfarm.

E.on, which is behind the windfarm, has built a 45-foot catamaran designed to transfer engineers to the offshore turbines in the Solway Firth.

Youngsters at Ewanrigg Junior School have named her the Solway Spirit.

Three members of E.on's Workington Robin Rigg operations team visited the school to give a presentation about the scheme.

The children, aged between nine and 11, were challenged to choose a name for the new boat.

Steve Johnson, wind farm engineer for E.on, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to talk to some inquisitive kids about Robin Rigg and give them an opportunity to ask questions about wind farms and why we need clean, renewable energy.

“Most of the team are from this area and we all feel it is important that we talk to local people, young and old, about the vital role this project will play in fighting climate change and in helping to keep the UK's lights on.

“The children were really enthusiastic and came up with lots of terrific names, but in the end the judges felt that the Solway Spirit was the most appropriate.

“The team is delighted that the boat we'll be working on every day has been named by local kids."

First prize for selecting the winning name went to Lauren Hamilton.

Joint second prize was awarded to Liam Kirkbride for his suggestion of Solway Rocket and to Jay Hodgeson for General Turbine.

The winning children will all receive book tokens and the school will be presented with £500 at a ceremony at the school on May 23.

All three children and their families will be invited to the official launch of the Solway Spirt at the Port of Workington this summer.