A GREEN household campaign in one English county has saved the equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions of 825 flights around the world this year - and it will go on saving that for another 20 years.

It has also improved the financial outlook for 800 families in Shropshire who have all been removed from what is called "fuel poverty".

The Keep Shropshire Warm campaign launched one year ago has in turn witnessed a big reduction in carbon dioxide emissions through simple energy-saving measures.

A family in ‘fuel poverty' is defined as one who spend more than a tenth of their income on heating.

In Shropshire, there are 20,000 such families, so the campaign set out to reduce the fuel costs in their homes.

To date, more than 800 of those families have been removed from ‘fuel poverty', while another 2,500 households have benefited from grants.

The energy saved by those 3,300 families alone this year is the equivalent of cutting out more than 825 flights around the world.

Steve Winmill, project manager of Keep Shropshire Warm, said: "At a time when fuel costs are still high for everyone in Britain, this is a superb result.  The bonus of reducing harmful carbon emissions makes it doubly beneficial.  It's impressive, but we want to make these numbers even larger in 2009."

Cavity wall and loft insulation is free under the campaign for homeowners and private tenants who are on benefits.  People aged over 70 get insulation free as well, while other households can get discounts of up to £350.

Among the most common energy efficient measures to cut heating costs are:

• Putting ‘Seal' window seals on where there isn't double glazing;

• Installing radiator and wall panels where there is no cavity wall to be filled;

• Using thicker curtains or other draught excluders and proofing strips on windows, doors and letterbox;

• Setting the heating thermostat on the best level - 18-21 degrees.

• Checking out the best local energy tariff - available on Keep Shropshire Warm's website http://www.keepshropshirewarm.org/.

For more information visit the website or call the Keep Shropshire Warm team on 01743 277123.

*Keep Shropshire Warm - a Defra-funded project run in conjunction with the Shropshire Partnership - is managed by the Action Heat Team of the Marches Energy Agency based at The Pump House, Coton Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 2DP. 

Web: http://www.keepshropshirewarm.org  Email: info@keepshropshirewarm.org Telephone: 01743 277123

For further information, please contact:

Steve Winmill, Project Manager, at Keep Shropshire Warm, on 01743 277124 or email steve@mea.org.uk.

Alternatively contact Kris McGowan on 07905 696821