Secondary schools in Welwyn Garden City and St Albans have swapped diesel minibuses for electric vehicles to reduce their carbon footprints.

The Ambition Education Trust has added three electric Ford E-Transit minibuses to its fleet at Sandringham and Verulam Schools in St Albans, and Ridgeway Academy in Welwyn Garden City.

Ridgeway Academy headteacher Sarah Mitcherson said: "We are delighted to upgrade our minibus which will be well used to provide our students access to fantastic opportunities for learning beyond the classroom."

The change marks the beginning of the trust's plan to replace all fossil fuel vehicles with electric ones, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions and boost air quality.

The electric minibuses, which have a driving range of 166 to 196 miles on a full charge, will serve various purposes, including transporting students to activities and events and serving as the primary vehicles for consortium school runs.

Previously, the minibuses were used for student trips to Oxford University, Duke of Edinburgh award trips, visits to Tottenham Hotspur, geography field trips and sporting events.

The trust's eco-friendly initiative is part of a larger environmental strategy which includes solar PV installations at the three secondary schools, allowing them to generate their own electricity and charge the vehicles with a net zero impact on the environment.