The biggest-ever single public investment in bioenergy research has been announced by the Swindon-based Bio-technology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

It has launched a £27 million Sustainable Bioenergy Centre with the ultimate aim of replacing petrol with plant-derived fuels.

But the emphasis will be on using non-food crops, such as willow, straw and industrial and agricultural waste products without affecting normal food production.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson said the investment would enable the country to lead the way in transforming the potential of sustainable biofuels into a technology that could replace fossil fuels.

The research will be conducted at six dedicated centres with input from another seven universities and institutes and 15 industrial partners – which are contributing about £7 million of the funding.

BBSRC chief executive, Professor Douglas Kell, said: "By working closely with industrial partners, the centre's scientists will be able to quickly translate their progress into practical solutions to all our benefit – and ultimately, by supporting the sustainable bioenergy sector, help to create thousands of new 'green collar' jobs in the UK."

Meanwhile, UK arable farmers are being urged not to miss out on additional Energy Aid support payments worth up to £20 a hectare.

The scheme enables farmers to claim aid on a number of crops which are grown to be used for the production of heat, electricity or transport fuels. Last year, the aid was allocated to only 1.5 million hectares of the two million available in the EU.

And Chris Baldwin, managing director of Wiltshire-based United Oilseeds, says with a greatly reduced cropping area this winter, as a result of last year's late harvest, it is likely that there will once again be plenty of aid available.

Qualifying growers in can claim up to 45 euros a hectare, minus modulation of 19 per cent. This leaves €36.45 a hectare available prior to additional first processor fees.

United Oilseeds is currently offering its members the chance to sign an energy contract, with the company acting as the first processor. The company has fixed its administration fee at a reduced rate which will leave 22.50 euros a hectare available to members in England and Wales.

Mr Baldwin said: "As a farmer-owned company we have set the fee at a very competitive rate. Our members can expect to receive approximately £20 a hectare or the equivalent of £6 a tonne of winter sown oilseed rape."

All energy crops planted in Europe, including wheat, barley, rapeseed, sugar beet, biomass and potatoes, are eligible for the scheme. Applications must be claimed by individual growers along with their SFP submission by May 15.