by JAMES MILLS

Last updated at 14:59 20 April 2007

For those who want to nibble an al-fresco sausage or chicken drumstick without the guilt of adding to global warming, it is the answer to a prayer.

A barbecue powered by the sun is now on sale in the UK.

The Solar-Grill, available online for £125, is said to catch sunlight with mirrors and reflect it on to the hot plate, a strip of black metal running across the centre which absorbs the heat.

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To start grilling without smoke or flames, all the chef need do is lift the lid on the shiny silver device, aim it at the sun and place the food inside.

Its makers claim it is ideal for use in places where naked flames are forbidden or unsafe, such as balconies in flats and campsites.

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Whether it will prove as effective under Britain's often-grey summer skies as on sun-kissed Bondi Beach, however, remains to be seen. And some fans will undoubtedly miss the traditional smoky BBQ taste, since the result is the same as a conventional grill.

The Swiss manufacturers say that if the clouds sweep in when food is half done, cooking can be continued with odourless alcohol-based fuel tablets.

For the adventurous chef, the eco-friendly contraption boasts telescopic legs, which allow it to be set up on uneven terrain such as the side of a mountain.

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Rolf Schneeberger, of makers Tammock Trading, said: "There's no smoke, no open fire and no pollution. It's a small contribution to saving the environment but we feel we are doing our bit to help people be more green."

Nick Rau, of Friends of the Earth, said: "The solar-powered barbecue is a promising sign because if you are a person who likes the outdoors, then you should be even more aware of your carbon footprint."