Helping to pay for their expensive horse tack, manure from horses in the King's Troop is to be used to heat and light the regiment's new headquarters in south London.

The manure from the 170 horses that comprise the Royal Horse Artillery will be used to generate bio-fuel, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.

The regiment are moving from St John's Wood to their new headquarters in Woolwich in 2011. The troop's new accommodation will provide the regiment and their horses with far greater facilities which include indoor and outdoor training areas, a gun park and forge and regimental offices.

The MoD said the move was in line with the government's target to reduce carbon emissions and find more sustainable sources of energy.

No doubt the savings in the company's fuel bills will help pay for the long list of horse equipment and horse tack needed to keep the troop in service.

[Image Derbydog via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence]