THIRTY Ribble Valley families in a hard-to-heat village street are now as warm as toast thanks to a pioneering scheme that could be repeated across the borough.

Occupants of the properties in the Kirklands cul-de-sac in Chipping are delighted with the results of the £500,000 home insulation scheme.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The latest external wall insulation was been fitted to the 30 homes as part of the Green Deal.

Now borough bosses are hoping to identify locations and cash to replicate the project in other far-flung villages.

Ribble Valley Council, energy efficiency company Firefly and Trade Energy, from Preston, joined forces in the three-month partnership project. Borough housing officer John Barber is now looking for other small communities who want the same warming and money-saving treatment.

He said: “The properties at Kirklands are off-grid and hard to heat, but as well as looking fantastic they are now extremely energy-efficient resulting in significantly lower fuel bills for the householders.

“Even though the funding situation is constantly changing, we are hopeful of brokering similar schemes in the future for the borough’s hard-to-heat and isolated homes.

“We are watching the funding situation and would certainly support other communities interested in similar energy-efficiency schemes.”

Kirklands resident Nicole Cook, who championed the project, said: “We are all delighted with the scheme. Our homes are much warmer, quieter and cheaper to heat.”

Neighbour Sally Smith said: “I am delighted. The external finish is to a very high standard and the properties look fantastic.

“I would highly recommend this scheme to anyone considering external wall insulation.”

Neil Harwood, director of Trade Energy, said: “We are delighted to have been instrumental in the organisation and installation of this pioneering project in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and look forward to being involved in similar projects in the future.”

Further information about energy efficiency and funding for hard-to-heat homes is available from the council on 01200 425111.