Rugby legend Martin Offiah stormed into Whitchurch last week – to launch new electric vehicle charging points in the town.

The former rugby league player, who represented clubs such as Wigan and Widnes during a decorated career in the sport, appeared in his role as a brand ambassador for the Connected Kerb project.

Connected Kerb is an electric vehicle charging point contractor which has installed new points in Whitchurch, along with other towns in Shropshire.

As part of the Agile Streets project – which aims to use smart metering to manage public electric vehicle and offer flexible charges, normally reserved for those with home charging – the England and Great Britain star joined Ian Nellins and Peggy Mullock for the big switch-on on Friday.

Mr Offiah said: "I am really pleased that Shropshire is participating in the UK’s first trial of public smart charging — Agile Streets — which will allow people to charge their vehicle when energy is cheapest, that is, when renewable energy such as sun or wind is in surplus, or at lowest demand, such as at night.

"Connected Kerb solutions are unique in so many ways. The charging points are more than just charging points but can support future technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things and air quality sensors. In truth they are the first ‘street-USB’ that we will see in the future."

The project will run from December 2021 to May 2022. The electric vehicle chargers will then be handed over to Shropshire Council. As well as providing EV charging points, Shropshire Council hopes to see an increase in people buying electric vehicles ahead of the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel vehicles.

Shropshire is one of four areas taking part in Agile Streets across the UK. The other areas are Hackney, East Lothian and Glasgow.

In addition to Whitchurch, there will be charging points in Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council's cabinet member lead on climate change said: “There is a great deal of interest from motorists in our county and we are delighted to be taking part in the Agile Streets project and opening up cost-effective charging opportunities to motorists who may not be able to access the best tariffs to charge their vehicles at home.

“Providing equal access to affordable electric vehicle charging across the country is a key part of our plan to become carbon net-neutral by 2030 and assist in the ambition for Shropshire as a whole to become carbon net-neutral in the same year.”