Harrogate Borough Council's pioneering work to provide council tenants with affordable and renewable energy to heat their homes has earned them the title of Sustainable Social Housing Landlord of the Year 2008.

Organised by Inside Housing in partnership with the Footprint Trust, this is the first year of these national awards and this new category.

Harrogate was up against 130 entries from across the public and private sector to take the title. The award was presented at a ceremony in London on 11 November hosted by top impressionist and keen environmental campaigner Alistair McGowen.

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Councillor Jean Butterfield, Cabinet Member for Housing, is delighted with the award and commends all staff in the council's housing and environmental strategy teams and their colleagues in housing maintenance.

She said: "This eco award is mainly for the work we have done to provide power from ground and air source heat pumps.

"The council is leading the way on providing this new technology in social homes. We started in villages that do not have a gas supply and tenants had been relying on costly electric heating systems for warmth and water.

"Added to that, of course, the systems have a reduced impact on the environment by using renewable energy. It is a pleasure to see all our staff's hard work recognised in this way."

(CD/JM)