MORE than 800 households across the borough were kept warm throughout the cold months thanks to Dudley Council’s winter warmth scheme.

The scheme offered a range of assistance, support and information to anyone who may be struggling to keep their home warm.

Assistance to 837 homes was given out and included visits to offer specialist energy advice, support with tariff switching and practical help to keep homes warm.

Emergency heaters, blankets, hot water bottles and bed socks were also provided.

John Millar, acting strategic director for economy, environment and housing, said: “The winter warmth scheme has proved to be a fantastic scheme providing much needed support to the people most in need of additional help to stay warm during the winter months.

“We hope that this scheme has helped us to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations and to reduce the cold related deaths that occur each year as a result of vulnerable people being too cold in their homes.

“The fact that the scheme has helped over 800 borough households to keep warm is a great achievement.”

The scheme closed on April 3 but Dudley’s energy advice line, which provides information on free draught-proofing, loft and cavity wall insulation and new boilers to qualifying homes, is still available during the spring and summer months.

For more information, or to contact the advice line, call 01384 817086.