Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke has demanded communities benefit directly from ground-mounted solar farms.

The Liberal Democrat voiced her proposal to Ed Miliband, the secretary of state for energy security and net zero.

She's urging him to implement policies which ensure local areas get direct benefits from the renewable energy infrastructure.

Sarah Dyke MP said: "We need to increase the amount of electricity we generate from renewables, which is why the Liberal Democrats committed in our manifesto to investing in renewable power and ensuring that 90% of the UK’s electricity is generated from renewables by 2030.

"Climate change is an existential threat, so we need to decarbonise our grid, as well as improving energy security."

She stressed the Labour government’s stance on onshore wind, where communities benefit from hosting local renewable energy infrastructure, should also apply to large, ground-mounted solar farms.

She said: “The proposed solar park development at Southfield Farm in Queen Camel includes a Community Benefit Fund, but this is ancillary to the planning process and was not a requirement on the developers.

"I’d like to see developers compelled to provide such benefits, so that local communities that play host to solar farms can see and feel the improvements they bring.

"I hope to hear back from the Secretary of State soon and I look forward to hearing how my proposal can be implemented."