TEN times the usual number of people returned questionnaires on green issues in their community.

Residents in the Upper Esk valley were asked to complete a home energy questionnaire earlier this year.

Half of all residents returned the forms.

The usual number of questionnaires returned in the area is only five per cent.

Dr Vicki Shaw, community renewable energy officer at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: "We had a fantastic response to the questionnaires with a 50 per cent return rate, much higher than the normal rate of five per cent.

"This was down to the hard work and dedication of members of the Upper Esk Community Energy Group, who helped residents complete the form and personally collected them."

The survey collected information about how energy is used in the community.

The results have been used to provide residents with their own personal energy plans showing simple steps they can take to help save money and the environment by reducing energy consumption.

The information will also be used to help residents make joint applications for grants, and secure bulk discounts for energy-saving measures and technologies that will benefit the entire community.

As an incentive to return the forms, completed questionnaires were entered into a free prize draw. Prizes will be presented to winners at a social evening in Castleton Village Hall at 7.30pm tomorrow.

Five winners will receive energy-efficient kettles and another 15 will receive goody bags, containing energy- efficient light bulbs, draught-proofing materials and a save-a-flush bag for lavatories, as well as pens and mugs.

The questionnaire was organised by the Upper Esk Community Energy Group in partnership with the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in York.