THOUSANDS of free power-saving lightbulbs are languishing in a Stockton basement because they have not been claimed by people who are entitled to them.

The energy-efficient lamps have been reserved for households on low incomes by project workers at Stockton Warm Zone.

However, more than 1,000 are so far unclaimed and project workers are concerned that people are missing out on savings of up to £40 per year.

Since March, every home in the borough of Stockton surveyed by Warm Zone assessors has received vouchers for between two and four energy-efficient lightbulbs donated by British Gas.

Many of these homes are close to being considered fuel poor, a condition where householders spend more than a tenth of their income trying to stay warm.

Stockton Warm Zone was set up in 2001 as an initiative, backed by Transco and Stockton Borough Council, to wipe out fuel poverty.

Warm Zone manager Lorraine Dobson said the free lightbulbs could be picked up from the Stockton Warm Zone office in Blue Post Yard, Stockton.

She said: "At the moment, many of them are piled up in our basement waiting to be collected and we are anxious people do not miss out.

"Each lightbulb is worth at least £2.50 and could save a household about £10 a year.

"That means a saving of up to £40 a year for a set of four. It seems such a shame they are not being claimed when there are many households out there who would really benefit from them.

"I would urge people to bring their vouchers next time they come into Stockton and get their lightbulbs."

She said the vouchers expired in August next year and the centre wanted as many people as possible to use them before then.