OKEHAMPTON town councillor and businesswoman Kay Bickley has been named as one of the country's 'Green Heroes' because of the action she has taken to reduce her carbon footprint and those of others.

The 52-year-old, who runs the Upcott House Bed and Breakfast in Okehampton, is one of the eleven Team Green Britain Heroes selected by EDF Energy from various locations around the country as 'champions of sustainability'.

At home, in the B&B, she shares with her husband, father and son, Mrs Bickley has installed energy-efficient lighting on timers, the roof has been insulated and energy monitors analyse electricity usage.

She has also installed solar panels and hopes to soon replace her oil-fired boiler with an air source heat pump, to generate heating and hot water.

She grows fruit and vegetables, and keeps chickens and pigs for eggs, pork and bacon.

The rest of her goods she buys locally, to reduce food miles and support the local economy.

Mrs Bickley also travels in her fully electric car and has an electric vehicle charging point at the B&B for guests and any travellers passing through Devon.

She is the director of EvFriendly, a project which aims to install electric vehicle infrastructure throughout Dartmoor and Exmoor and eventually, the whole of Devon, and hopes that the project will help reduce carbon emissions and encourage tourists to use more sustainable methods of travel in the area.

The town councillor is also involved in the steering group for a new community garden in Okehampton.

All eleven heroes will continue their sustainable efforts over the coming months and battle it out to be named the Team Green Britain 'Superhero' and win £10,000 to support a sustainable community initiative of their choosing.

In Mrs Bickley's case the money will support EvFriendly and the new community garden, which would have solar panels on site, a composting toilet and a borehole to provide water.

To claim the prize the heroes will soon begin an electoral-style campaign, encouraging people to think about how they can make the UK greener in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

EDF Energy, a sustainability partner of London 2012, will give the heroes the opportunity to trial a range of sustainable energy technologies like air source heat pumps and electric vehicles and give them access to a London 2012 event. The heroes will then share their experiences online, via the Team Green Britain website, and through newsletters, blogs, social media and local events. 

Mrs Bickley said: 'I'm really pleased to be chosen as a Team Green Britain Hero and am looking forward to progressing my carbon-saving efforts at home and in my community.

'I am keen to lead by example and share information about the benefits of micro-generation projects and energy-saving gadgets.

'This is a great opportunity to encourage people to assess their carbon footprint, make changes, use new technology, protect our environment and save money. I would be delighted to win £10,000 towards my two projects and help Devon become more sustainable.'