MORE than £1 million is being invested into better heating supply for residents living in poverty in Bracknell.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) has secured funding from National Grid's Warm Homes Fund to help people with inefficient or no central heating systems to install main gas into properties.

BFC and neighbouring authorities West Berkshire Council have secured £1.2 million from the energy supplier after identifying 'possible' fuel poor homes.

Councillor Dale Birch, executive member for adult services, health and housing, said: "We are committed to tackling fuel poverty in the borough so that no household is left fuel poor.

"The funding secured will help us to ensure residents are able to heat their homes to stay comfortable and healthy."

Around four million homes in the UK are in fuel poverty and are unable to heat their homes to a temperature to stay healthy.

As well as this, many residents have to pay for heating systems which are expensive to run and/or inadequate for their needs.

The Warm Homes Fund is a £150 million fund set up by National Grid and it is designed to install affordable heating solutions in fuel poor households who do not use main gas as their primary heating supply.

Bracknell Forest have managed to obtain funding for residents living in rural and urban areas, as well as encourage additional levels of insulation to reduce the cost of bills.

The funding follows on from an earlier project where 487 homes in Warfield Park were converted to Liquid Paraffin Gas to mains gas.

Jeremy Nesbitt, managing director of Affordable Warmth Solutions, said: "We are excited about this investment from National Grid and are delighted to support Bracknell Forest and its partners to fund the scheme to address fuel poverty across the region. "Solving the issues associated with Fuel Poverty continues to challenge many of our stakeholders and the feedback we have already received provides evidence of how the Warm Home Fund will make a positive difference to thousands of homes throughout Great Britain."

Those who privately own or rent properties will be contacted.

Residents who are affected and may qualify for the scheme, can contact Hazel Hill, sustainable energy officer on 01344352536.