The northwest's target to become the leading region on tackling climate change by 2020 has been given a boost.

Manchester's light rail system, Metrolink, is the first tram system in the country to be powered by hydroelectricity.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has signed a deal with Scottish and Southern Energy to run Metrolink on water power.

Philip Purdy, GMPTE's Metrolink director, said: "Anyone who travels on Metrolink instead of using their car is already helping to fight climate change as trams are nearly four times better for the environment.

"Using hydropower will make them even more environmentally friendly."

The decision to use hydroelectricity will hopefully encourage people to leave their cars at home and travel by tram instead, he added.

In November 2006, the Northwest Regional Development Agency launched the region's Climate Change Action Plan to address the threat of global warming.