A property which gets its power from a hydrogen fuel cell in the back garden has just been opened in Birmingham.

Located on Stocking Street, the green house is the first permanent hydrogen-powered home connected to the national grid.

Waldemar Bujalski from the University of Birmingham's fuel cells group told the Guardian newspaper: "You shouldn't notice any difference in the house.

"For the typical house, the unit is capable of providing 65 per cent of the power on average and about 75 per cent of total energy demand, both electricity and heat."

The house will not be lived in but will be used for demonstration purposes and will be constantly scrutinised for hiccups.

Richard Baines, director of sustainable development at Black Country Housing Group, which owns the demo house, said: "Hydrogen fuel cells are leading the way when it comes to green energy and it's our belief in this technology that has driven us to install the fuel cell.

"Minimising impact on the environment is everyone's responsibility, but as a social housing landlord we are able to make a real difference to the technology used in homes."