Almost 60,000 households are set to save money on their fuel bills as a campaign to make the region's homes more energy efficient gets underway.

The region's ten local authorities have announced Keepmoat Regeneration, Wates Living Space and Willmott Dixon as the three providers who will carry out energy improvements to homes over the next five years – aiming to create 1,000 jobs.

The scheme will see residents offered assessments to find out what work could be done to make their homes warmer and their fuel bills cheaper.

Measures could include insulation, heating, draught-proofing and renewable energy systems such as solar electricity.

Homeowners can opt to pay for the work through loans from the government's Green Deal initiative, which sees the costs of energy measures repaid through the subsequent savings made on fuel bills.

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The scheme will commence in April and is set to save more than 22,000 tonnes of carbon.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council and chairman of the Greater Manchester Low Carbon Hub, said: "A wide range of organisations and residents across Greater Manchester are now committed to slashing their carbon emissions and are saving money in the process. This announcement is an important step in Manchester's ambition to become an energy smart, low carbon city, building on work which has already taken place towards achieving these goals.

"This will help tens of thousands of families across the region cut their energy bills at a time when rising fuel prices are affecting everyone. It will also support local businesses safeguard and create new jobs."

Lee Sale, regional business director from Wates Living Space, said: "We’re really pleased to lend our energy services expertise to a campaign of this size and importance.

"The UK’s homes consume approximately 30 per cent of the energy used in the country and in turn account for 45 per cent of carbon dioxide generated – making this scheme critical in the journey towards making the region more environmentally friendly."

(CD/MH)