PEOPLE living in Yarm could benefit from warmer homes as part of a free scheme.

Assessors from the Transco-sponsored Stockton Warm Zone project will move into the town from August 1 in the latest stage of their attempt to lift 13,000 homes out of fuel poverty.

Warm Zone workers offer free energy-efficiency measures such as loft lagging and wall cavity insulation to householders whose fuel bills take up more than ten per cent of their income.

Lorraine Dobson, Warm Zone manager, said people should not confuse Warm Zone workers with representatives from other companies offering insulation at reduced rates.

She said: "In recent months our work has been made more difficult because people have already been approached by other companies offering cut-price insulation.

"Stockton Warm Zone workers never ask householders for money. All our work is completely free, we never canvas by telephone and our representatives are easily recognisable by their distinctive red tunics or ties.

"Yarm is one of the last six wards in the Stockton Borough Council area to get the Warm Zone treatment and we are very anxious not to miss people who would really benefit from our free help."