HOUSEHOLDERS in Wolviston are being urged to listen to advice from fuel poverty crusaders.

The village is the last of Stockton's 30 wards to be visited by the Stockton Warm Zone as the project approaches the end of its three-year lifespan. Assessors will start marketing its services on January 5.

Stockton Warm Zone manager Lorraine Dobson said: "Although most people associate the Warm Zone with the battle against fuel poverty we also carry out important environmental work.

"This means visiting every home in the borough to assess its energy efficiency.

"Despite being one of the more affluent parts of the borough, we need to carry out important work in Wolviston. Experience shows that better off households tend to waste a lot of heat because they don't worry about paying fuel bills. However, this damages the environment as more pollution is produced than is necessary.

"Using our links with Stockton Borough Council's environment centres, we can help people find advice about discounted insulation schemes which will help them save money and help them do their bit to save the environment."

Assessors believe that some residents in the village may suffer from fuel poverty without realising it.

Mrs Dobson said: "Anyone whose fuel bills amount to more than ten per cent of their household income can get free measures like loft and cavity wall insulation. Our assessors can also unlock the door to free energy efficiency and welfare rights advice.

Stockton Warm Zone is a Government-backed pilot initiative run by Stockton Council and sponsored by Transco and British Gas.