HUNDREDS of people across Teesside will benefit from more efficient heating and lower energy bills thanks to a £900,000 fuel poverty project.

The scheme will see 230 homes across the area connected to the gas network after social housing groups Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing joined forces with Northern Gas Networks, Community Energy Solutions and Carillion Energy Services.

The properties will be fitted with an energy efficient heating system to help cut down bills.

Geoff Prior, head of asset management for Fabrick Housing Group, which incorporates both companies, said: "This project will help provide some of our most vulnerable tenants with affordable and energy efficient heating they can use for years to come."

The £900,000 project is being part-funded by the Government-backed Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP).

Properties in Hartlepool, Stockton, Redcar and Hemlington in Middlesbrough will get the new heating systems by early next year.