Unanimous support has been given for a hydrogen strategy that will make Warwick district a "flagship" in renewable energy production.

Warwick District Council's cabinet backed a plan that could eventually see a hydrogen hub built on land at Greys Mallory near the M40.

The strategy will run until 2040 and a separate business plan for the council producing green hydrogen will be put before cabinet early next year.

Speaking at last week's meeting Cllr Alan Rhead, the portfolio holder for climate change, said: "This is very much an evolving document."

He added: "It is an evolving industry, there is an awful lot of research and development going on, as there is with EV.

"So we need to make sure that the business case does stack up, and that will come to cabinet in due course."

The project, which has already received interest from commercial investors, is part of the council's commitment to become net zero carbon by 2030.

"Hydrogen has an important role to play in this, in the short term as a fuel for heavy road vehicles and transportation and in the medium to longer term as a fuel for other forms of transportation and heating," the strategy said. 

"This is recognised by the UK Government, which has produced a hydrogen strategy and is providing financial support to encourage investment in the supply of, and demand for, hydrogen. 

"The government is clear that the time for hydrogen expansion in the UK is now."

The report said a hydrogen hub in the region would first supply council vehicles, then commercial HGV's and then potentially be used in homes.

Welcoming the strategy, Cllr Moira-Ann Granger said: "Let's be a flagship in this area. 

"I do think there is a lot of interest, a lot of support, both from the combined authority and from other authorities around that if we get on and do this it will be a major accomplishment. 

"Then we can get the gigafactory done and we will be like shining stars."