Solar panels to cut energy bills

A housing group in County Durham is installing solar panels on homes in a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions and energy bills.

Dale and Valley Homes, which is in charge of Wear Valley District Council's 4,297 homes, is encouraging tenants to sign up for the scheme.

The panels can provide about one third of a household's hot water needs.

They have already been put on selected properties in Rookhope, Billy Row and Witton-le-Wear.

Ian Bloomfield, environment officer, with Wear Valley District Council, said: "With the advent of increased fuel and heating costs, it is encouraging to see Dale and Valley Homes adopting new technologies by helping tenants to reduce their fuel bills and at the same time making a positive contribution towards climate change."