A scheme is being launched to help companies across the region reduce rising fuel bills and boost their business prospects by cutting carbon emissions.

Companies including TKA Tallent and Hydro Polymers, both of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, have signed up to the North-East Carbon Management and Energy Efficiency Programme after seeing energy bills rise by as much as 60 per cent.

The aim of the scheme is to help companies taking part deal with rising fuel costs, improve future business prospects, protect jobs and boost profitability.

Barrie Brass, regional manager of the Carbon Trust, is working with regional development agency One NorthEast's renewable energy specialist Andrew Williamson on the project.

Mr Brass said: "Estimates suggest that businesses could reduce energy consumption by as much as 25 per cent through good energy management and cost-effective investments."

The firms signed up to the scheme have all been proposed by One Northeast's Business Investment and Finance and North-East Productivity Alliance teams.

Car parts manufacturer ThyssenKrupp employs 1,000 people at its Newton Aycliffe plant, supplying industry heavyweights that include Nissan, Ford and BMW.

Managing director Simon Flunder said: "The initiative will help us identify energy reduction objectives and invest in new, more efficient practices and technologies. This in turn will reduce our energy costs."

Neighbouring plastics manufacturer Hydro Polymers employs 400 staff and recently received planning permission to install two wind turbines on its PVC manufacturing site as part of its commitment to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions.

One NorthEast and the Carbon Trust are each contributing £100,000.

For more information about the programme, contact Andrew Williamson, on 0191-229 6372 or Barrie Brass on 0191-229 6568.