ANYBODY who loves wildlife and the countryside has to have some concern about pollution, especially that created by engine fumes.

To find out a bit more about how solar power might be one solution, I visited Coniston Cruises, a company which operates two comfortable pleasure boats powered by solar energy.

Very occasionally the small battery which drives the prop has to be topped up by charging from the national grid.

This is very rare. The solar panels on the roof charge up the battery whilst the boat is running, and on most days enough power remains to start the vessel the next day.

I spent a pleasant time travelling on the boat and enjoying the birds.

There are no diesel fumes and the engine is silent, apart from the spinning of the propeller.

There is a really humorous item on the brochure to say that well- behaved dogs can join the trip at the modest cost of only 50p, but that coated retrievers travel free! I found out that the inventor of the solar- powered boat project owns flat coated retrievers.

Birds and boats always co-exist and any lakes tour will provide a comfortable and mobile hide. In the case of the all but silent solar- powered boats, the close approach to birds is even easier and I was able to watch tufted duck, cormorant and a family of goosanders.

Even on a dull day I was told there was 70per cent left in the battery and it was still charging.

I spoke at length to the inventor of the system and Gordon Hall told me that solar power is a much more viable option for all forms of water and event land-based transport than many people think.

Gordon told me: “The cruise vessels will always be cheaper to operate than the traditional diesel- driven vessels and the maintenance also less.

“With the rising cost of fuel, the solar-powered boats now have a real economic advantage when compared to the accepted power sources of such vessels.

“As our technology improves I am sure that solar-powered boats will be very much the future of pleasure cruises, and who knows how commercial vessels on the high seas might benefit.”

As I got into my car to drive home, it gave me thoughts of enjoying solar- powered cars in the future.