WORLD heritage site Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is digging deep in a bid to go green.

Ground-source heat pumps are to be fitted at the National Trust attraction near Ripon to provide heating for the visitor centre on the estate.

Bosses say the pumps will reduce the estate’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The pump loops will be fitted under an overflow car park which the estate plans to develop into a permanent parking area.

The pumps work by using heat stored in the ground from the sun’s solar radiation which is processed for heating and hot water. It is hoped the project will be completed by July.