West Dorset folk have bagged over £460,000 of grants to make their homes more energy efficient in 2006/07.

The figure comes from West Dorset District Council, which offers advice about energy conservation and helps local people apply for funding from national grant schemes.

District council Leader Robert Gould says: "The grants are for practical energy efficiency measures, such as loft insulation, to keep your house warm, lower your fuel bills and help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by burning less fuel.

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"Grants are still available, contact the council on 01305 251010 to see if they can help."

All home-owners and private tenants are eligible for a grant towards the cost of loft and cavity wall insulation, subject to surveys.

People on certain benefits may be able to get these and other measures, such as draught proofing and improved heating systems, installed free.

The council helped around 600 people apply for grants during 2006 – 2007.

About £340,000 came from the Government's Warm Front scheme with the rest drawn from funds provided by the energy utility companies.

(JM)