THREE hundred households in Herefordshire and Shropshire are set to benefit from Warm Homes Grants to install efficient affordable heating.

Led by Herefordshire Council, Keep Herefordshire Warm and Keep Shropshire Warm has been successful in bidding for more than £1m of funding to pay for the installation of affordable central heating systems for households in fuel poverty.

The funding will help low income private occupiers to install central heating. It will target people in poor health or at risk of ill health, with underlying health issues, caring for a vulnerable person or worried about their home being cold or damp.

Fuel poverty remains a significant issue in Herefordshire with an estimated 11,043 households thought to suffer from fuel poverty across the county.

Many people are unaware of the risks that living in a cold home presents to their health. The risk of a stroke or heart attack rises, and other conditions such as colds and flu can become more likely.

To qualify, householders will need to be in a privately owned or rented property without a recognised central heating system, typically be low income and either be in receipt of certain qualifying benefits and/or vulnerable.

If you feel that you may qualify, contact Keep Herefordshire Warm on 0800 677 1432 or through email at khw@mea.org.uk.