Stroud District Council is celebrating a win of £5,000 after its Briquette Project was judged best in Britain by leading fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) in the Affordable warmth - Sustainable world award.

The project, which took the regional award for the South West earlier this year, was voted the national winner due to its creative yet simple way of tackling fuel poverty by distributing compacted woodchip briquettes, made locally at Leyhill Prison, to people struggling to pay for their energy. The project was also commended for its bringing together of different project partners from around the area including Stroud College, several local parishes and even the local animal shelter. The project has been so successful it has developed into a not-for-profit company called Wood-u-Waste.

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Maria Wardrobe, Director of Communications and competition judge for NEA said: "Stroud District Council's Briquette Project has succeeded in bringing together people from around the community in the fight against fuel poverty. Not only does it show a practical side with the distribution of briquettes to be used alongside coal for heat, but the community links the project is creating has ensured its success in and around Stroud.

"This award scheme has demonstrated just how much support, enthusiasm and determination there is amongst all of those who entered, to devise schemes that help to tackle fuel poverty in their communities.

"It has been a particularly hard decision to choose a winner amongst so many excellent contributions. Nevertheless, we would like to congratulate Stroud District Council. The judging panel were particularly struck by the project co-ordinator's enthusiasm and determination."

(CD/GK)