PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has become a shareholder in a West Oxford green power scheme he has described as inspirational.

Mr Brown was presented with his stake by delegates from Low Carbon West Oxford during a meeting at Downing Street.

He was told more about the group’s ambitious plans to tap into the River Thames to power homes.

As revealed in the Oxford Mail on Thursday, the group has set up a company, West Oxford Community Renewables, which is aiming to raise £1.4m to set up generators at Osney Weir, solar panels on buildings and wind turbines perched on Cumnor and Harcourt Hills.

Lois Muddiman of Harley Road said: “We awarded Mr Brown 10 shares and we will be sending him a prospectus, which he will have to sign as a shareholder.

“He said we were doing some very important work in the community which was inspiring.”

Mr Brown said: “I am grateful for the contribution that people right across the country make every day to their local environmental and wildlife projects. The inspirational work they do helps create a better world for us all.”

WOCR has generated political interest, with Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, having previously met the group.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has also visited members, while Oxford West and Abingdon MP Evan Harris, has bought £1,000-worth of shares.

Ms Muddiman added: “Interest has come from the fact that we are working from grass roots in the community.”

In August the first solar panels will go up on the roof of the King’s Centre building on Osney Mead industrial estate.

The next move is to target local businesses to drum up more cash for solar panels and wind turbines.

The ultimate aim is to ensure all 1,600 homes and businesses in West Oxford cut their carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, in line with Government guidelines.

The groupwas set up in the aftermath of the 2007 floods.

asmith@oxfordmail.co.uk