AN environmental grant has ensured a warm welcome at a guest house that has cut its fuel use.

Elmfield House, at Arrathorne, near Bedale, has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide it produces and increased fuel efficiency thanks to advice and financial help from York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum (YNYBEF).

The cut in fuel consumption has also been accompanied by more comfort for guests after Elmfield House installed cavity wall and loft insulation with help from an environmental technology grant from the forum.

The forum, a subsidiary of Ryedale Energy Conservation Group, provided half of the £1,740 cost of the insulation project after advising owner Astra Towning that it was the most significant environmental improvement for her business.

She has run Elmfield House since 2004 and said: "As a small business, fuel costs are among our biggest outgoings, and we initially wanted to look at how we could cut costs by reducing the amount of fuel consumption, by getting more efficient boilers.

"YNYBEF advised that the best initial step would be to retain as much of the heat that we generate as possible, and this meant doubling our existing insulation. Matched funding was enough to bring the cost of the project to a manageable level for us faster than would otherwise have been possible."

The forum helps eligible businesses in rural, upland and coastal area of North Yorkshire with environmental technology grants of up to £1,500.

To apply, call 01904-554541 or visit www.here4greenbusiness. co.uk. The programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward, and managed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire.