A WORCESTERSHIRE County Council project aimed at providing replacement heating systems for low income households has picked up an award.

The authority's Boilers on Prescription programme was named Vulnerable Customer Support category winner at the Efficiency and Healthy Homes regional awards.

The programme ran from April 2016 across Worcestershire, and further afield, and replaced broken or inefficient heating systems to improve thermal comfort and affordability of energy bills.

The project was funded by the charity National Energy Action and Worcestershire Public Health.

Dr Frances Howie, director of Worcestershire Public Health, said: "It's fantastic news.

"This programme has been hugely successful since it was launched back in April 2016.

"By the end of March 2017, 70 heating systems have been installed in Worcestershire.

"This programme has changed the lives of those living with health problems and who were unable to afford to replace broken or inefficient heating systems.

"Not only does it reduce the risk of negative health consequences of living in a cold home but also lowers energy bills."

As part of the Warmer Worcestershire Network, Worcestershire County Council has also been piloting a heating system replacement programme for low income households where a resident has a diagnosed long term health condition, that could be made worse by living in a cold home.

Warmer Worcestershire is a partnership of public sector and third sector organisations all working towards tackling fuel poverty in the county.

The aim was to improve the energy efficiency of homes towards an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C to reduce the risk of negative health consequences.

By the end of March the project had installed 136 heating systems of which 70 were in Worcestershire.