A FORMER technology teacher has put theory into practice and is creating his own electricity from waste chip fat.

When he taught at Dyson Perrins college in Malvern, Richard Jones, who lives near Ombersley in Worcestershire, lectured on sustainable and renewable energy sources.

On quitting teaching in 2007, Richard, who was named West Midland Teacher of the Year in 2004, put his words into action and is now dubbed ‘The Oil Baron of Ombersley’.

He began by making fuel for his car using waste vegetable oil. He now produces bio diesel for a fraction of the cost of regular fuel.

The waste oil, bought from the kitchens of pubs and golf clubs where it had been used for cooking chips, is mixed with caustic soda and methanol and processed in a machine built by Richard using parts acquired through the Internet.

‘‘It’s legal to make 2,500 litres a year without paying tax,’’ said 57-year-old Richard.

‘‘One litre of fuel costs me around 10p to make, plus whatever I have to pay for the oil.’’

With diesel costing motorists £1.30 at the pumps, that’s a huge saving but that price is being reduced further because Richard now creates his own electricity, with waste vegetable oil again the driving force.