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Super Betty and Gasper will soon be helping Severn Trent generate more green energy than ever before at its sewage treatment works in Minworth near Birmingham.

The company invited children from nearby Minworth Junior and Infant School to take part in a competition to name two huge gas bags that form part of the brand new £60m Thermal Hydrolysis Plant (THP) which helps turn poo into green gas.

The winning names were put forward by year three pupil Bethany Morris and Zenun Mezini from year four, with the pair invited to a special unveiling at the site.

Malcolm Smith, education officer at Severn Trent, said: “This was a great way to engage with the school, especially as we’ve built really strong relationships with them over the years.

“We launched the competition at a special assembly earlier this year where the children found out all about what they should and shouldn’t flush down the loo, as well as how we use poo to make green gas that’s used to heat their homes or to cook their dinners.

“Bethany and Zenun were really excited to see the names they picked on plaques in front of the gas bags and they loved finding out more about how it all works.”

Becky Dewsbury, School Business Manager at Minworth Junior and Infant School, added: “The children relished the opportunity to take part in the competition and Zenun and Bethany thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the works.

“We look forward to continued work with Severn Trent, particularly as environmental issues are very much a priority for the younger generations.”

Minworth is one of Severn Trent’s leading sites for generating renewable energy. Sewage is taken from around 1.6 million homes across Birmingham and the Black Country and in the last year it has been used to generate enough electricity to power 11,000 homes and enough gas to heat 4,800 homes.

The THP process works by treating sewage sludge, using heat and pressure in a similar way to a pressure cooker. The treated sludge is then fed into huge digesters which, over time, produce methane rich bio-gas. This gas is then cleaned up and can be injected straight into the national grid for use by local homes and businesses.

To find out more about the company’s work on renewables visit www.stwater.co.uk/renewables