WILTSHIRE has been ranked second from last in a ‘green’ league table of the Home Counties in a new survey.

And that is despite 83 per cent of respondents claiming they are actively seeking to cut their carbon footprint.

Although the county’s residents are setting a shining example with 55 per cent of those polled using energy efficient lightbulbs, this was low in comparison to the national average of 83 per cent.

Turning off lights also scored low (31 per cent) when compared with the top green league counties such as Oxfordshire and Sussex (82 per cent and 90 per cent respectively).

However, the county scored above the national average for recycling (85 per cent compared to 77 per cent).

Oxfordshire won the top spot in the league table of the Home Counties, commissioned by green energy company Reflect Energy, with Sussex in second place, followed by Berkshire, Dorset, Kent, Gloucestershire, Surrey and Buckinghamshire. Hampshire was behind Wiltshire, claiming last place.

However, the future looks bright for Wiltshire residents as they appear to be seeing the light where solar energy is concerned. Rocketing fuel bills and one of the harshest winters in decades has led to a rise in interest in green energy with 84 per cent of Wiltshire householders saying they would now consider installing solar panels.

Kevin Mahoney, managing director of Reflect Energy, which is based in Oxford, said: “Being green is good for the planet but it also makes sound financial sense too.

“With energy bills climbing four times faster in the UK than the rest of Europe and the average UK household fuel bill now totalling £1,900 a year, it’s no surprise that there's been this huge surge of interest in solar panels.

“Although Wiltshire fared badly in the poll, it has more to do with the other counties doing exceptionally well when it comes to trying to cut their carbon footprint.”