REDDITCH Council is injecting cash into a scheme to reduce the number of cold related deaths.

Three years ago, there were an extra 2,500 winter deaths in Worcestershire, mainly from heart and respiratory conditions exacerbated by living in cold, poor quality housing with low levels of energy efficiency.

Some Redditch wards contain the greatest percentage of fuel poor in the county.

It is hoped an Affordable Warmth Strategy, to be developed by the National Energy Action Charity (NEA), will help vulnerable households in Redditch and across the county.

The NEA needs £12,450 to develop the strategy and has already secured £6,050 from Npower and the Energy Saving Trust, leaving Worcestershire's five authorities to contribute £1,400 each.

Housing renovation officer Don Wright said: "Two main aims are to raise general awareness of fuel poverty and affordable warmth issues and to promote cross-community participation, co-operation and wider ownership of the strategy.

"The new Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust will be one of the groups involved in this partnership and will be able to identify residents most in need of help."

Councillor Diane Thomas said: "I think one death happening as a result of fuel poverty is one too many. Contributing money to this strategy is an excellent idea."

Once a draft strategy has been formulated it will be brought back to the council for approval.