PEOPLE in Bicester will be able to tap into £280,000 of funding to improve the eco credentials of their homes.

Cherwell District Council won the grant from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Local Authority Green Deal Competition.

The cash will be used to help fund energy efficient improvements to homes and businesses across the town. It works by funding improvements, such as double glazing, solar panels, new boilers and insulation, which is then repaid through extra payments on electricity bills.

The scheme is based on the rule that repayments will not be more than the value of the energy savings the household is expected to make by having the work done.

A competition, to be launched later this month, will offer 100 homeowners and five businesses the chance to receive free specialist advice, 12 of these will get the installation of their Green Deal free.For more information see ecobicester.org.uk/ cms/bicestergreendeal or call 01295 221644.