Bags of advice

Energy-efficiency goodies are being given out new tenants as a head-start for people when they move.

Cllr Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for the enivonment, explained: "We have a number of homeless households living in hostels in the borough. When they move on from there they are being given a bag of energy conservation goodies for their new home to give them a little extra helping hand as they start their new lives.

"We wanted to try this as a way of promoting energy conservation to households who are hardest to reach and who are often hardest hit by high energy prices. We know it's a small step but we hope it helps."

The bag of goodies includes energy-saving lightbulbs, a DVD, leaflets and some educational colouring books for children to promote the idea of energy efficiency.

The scheme has been operating with households moving from hostels and is now being extended to include those going into rented accommodation through Hertsmere Borough Council's housing register.