A man currently undertaking plumbing training is part of a team that has become the first to build a three star-rated eco home for Wakefield and District Housing.

In a development near Ferrybridge, west Yorkshire, 12 apprentices have been working on building environmentally-friendly properties since February 2009, 24dash.com reports.

Communities and Local Government has now certified these semi-detached houses, which feature solar panels to heat water and a combination boiler with a gas saver, as Code Three Sustainable Homes.

Ben Blackett, 18, from Knottingley, is an apprentice plumber.

He said: "I've fitted the bathroom and the pipework for the solar panels. It was only the second day on site when I was working to connect the drain back for the solar panel."

Meanwhile, Mears construction firm has been awarded a £9 million contract to construct the 1012 Olympic Village where athletes will stay during their time in London for the Games.

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