VISITORS to Bury's Energy Show House can win a £600 wood-burning stove which will help them save money and the environment.

The virtues of using alternative fuels have been extolled by Andrew Hunt, energy efficiency officer for the East Bury Initiative.

He has converted the central heating in his Pimhole house to run on wood. He said that wood fuel was very cheap compared to gas or oil and a secure source of energy which does not have to be piped in from Russia or the Middle East.

"Conventional boilers do not fire up during power cuts either, but it just takes a match to light my stove and then I have heat, hot water and something to cook on," he said.

"Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, so they keep greenhouse gases in balance. Plus I get to have a real fire in my living room!"

The show house is at 20 Parsonage Street and is open from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesdays, 1.30pm-4.30pm on Wednesdays, and 9.30am-12.30pm on Fridays. Telephone advice is available on 0161 253 6366.

Visitors will receive a free low energy light bulb, or two in exchange for one traditional bulb in working order. Andrew can also provide information about Government grants to purchase wood-burning central heating systems.