IT hosting provider Rackspace is to build a carbon neutral data centre in Slough.

The facility will be powered by a combined heat and power plant that will burn wood chips, waste paper and fibre.

The 55,000 square foot site has now been constructed and the first equipment will be going in ready for operation in June.

Doug Loewe, managing director of Rackspace, said: "This is a fantastic project which will harness bio-mass fuels to power the data centre.

"We recognise that customers are increasingly looking for suppliers who can help them meet their own environment related goals.

"By investing in this facility we continue to strive to exceed the environmental expectations of our customers while delivering their hosting needs."

The combined heat and power plant will be run by Scottish and Southern Energy and is the largest plant of its type in the UK.