HUNDREDS of cold homes across East Lancashire are to get central heating for first time paid for by the government.

The cash to connect the households up to the national gas grid and install radiators comes from a £2.2million share of a national government scheme worth £25million.

Across England, it will link up more than 7,000 homes to the mains and provide central heating to the properties for the first time.

The £2.24million, which will heat more than 1,500 low income households across Lancashire’s 14 boroughs, can also pay for insulation.

A consortium led by Blackburn with Darwen Council is one of 20 to win cash out of more than 100 applicants.

Target groups are private landlords with low income and vulnerable tenants, and elderly fuel-poor private homeowners.

The area covered is Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire county council’s 12 constituent boroughs, which includes Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Chorley.

Central heating can help households save £1,000 a year and warm their homes more effectively.

Energy Minister Lord Bourne said: “We are determined to help hardworking families keep their homes warmer for less and we recognise that households not connected to the gas grid can pay over the odds for their heating.

“So we are backing these innovative projects that will help the people who need it.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “This is excellent news for East Lancashire, where fuel poverty remains a big issue.”

Blackburn with Darwen council housing boss Yusuf Jan Virmani said: “Fuel poverty is a major priority for the borough and this money will go towards giving our residents and people across Lancashire, central heating for the first time.”