Two new branches of high street chain Marks & Spencer in Scotland are to be powered by windmills.

The new shops, in Glasgow and Galashiels, have been branded the company's first "green" stores and include a series of eco-features aimed at reducing their carbon footprint.

The chain's first wind turbine, in Aberdeenshire, will provide renewable energy to the branches, which bosses say will lead to a drop of 55% in their energy use.

This, the company says, will also contribute to the shops producing 95% less carbon dioxide.

Another energy-reducing effort will see the shops collect rainwater to be used in flushing toilets. This will help lower water usage by 40%, it is claimed.

Further savings will be achieved by preventing heat and energy loss through more efficient lighting and ventilation systems, the company said.

The two shops will open in October. One will be at Silverburn Retail Park in Pollok, Glasgow, and the second will be in Galashiels in the Borders.

Company store designer Niall Trafford said Marks & Spencer was now on track to be carbon neutral by 2012.

"Creating a new 'green' store at Silverburn has presented us with a great opportunity to trial and develop new technologies that have the potential to be rolled out in M&S stores across the UK," he said.

"We are excited to have secured a renewable energy source to power the store -achieving a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions is something we are particularly proud of."