A far-reaching project to install solar panels on Ashford council's buildings has been scrapped - just weeks before it was due to begin.

The authority blames a government proposal to slash subsidies for solar electricity production.

Work was due to start this month, after the £1.2m spend was approved at a council meeting.

However, the council has now "reluctantly" stalled the plan, claiming the government's change of heart made the move financially unviable.

According to the government, reduced subsidies for domestic solar electricity production have been proposed as part of an urgent effort to keep the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme budget under control and reflect the plummeting costs of the technology.

Officers advised Cabinet members the financial risks were now too great.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, deputy leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: "It is with great reluctance we have made the decision to pull the project.

"During these difficult economic times the council felt the potential risks to the taxpayer were too great and this was not a risk we were willing to take.

"Should circumstances change in the future we will take a view on whether to take the project forward, but only if it is in the long term interests of the borough and our residents."

Cllr Jessamy Blanford, portfolio holder for the environment, said: "I'm personally very sad we cannot progress with the scheme. Despite this setback the council remains committed to lowering our carbon footprint and will continue to look at ways of achieving this."

The council had hoped to take advantage of the tariffs to reduce electricity bills, potentially provide the borough with an income from any power fed into the National Grid and help reduce the impact of future energy price rises to the council and its leaseholders and tenants.

Early estimates suggested a £1.2m outlay would generate a return in year five of £58,000 and up to £3.6m over 25 years.