North East residents are set to benefit from a free energy advice service launching this spring.

Delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, almost £2m in funding was secured for the initiative by the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA).

The service aims to enhance the energy efficiency of homes in the area, helping residents to both curb their carbon emissions and cut their energy bills.

Aiding this mission, the forthcoming service will feature an online one-stop-shop for energy advice, guiding residents through the critical steps required for making home energy improvements.

Mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “Warmer homes which are cheaper to run, who doesn’t want that?

"People who live in cold, poorly insulated homes are more at risk of falling ill and staying ill.

"We’re working with Energy Saving Trust...to roll this out at scale across the North East."

The service will also comprise a website packed with energy saving guidance, allowing householders to create a bespoke report indicating how to make their homes warmer and more energy-efficient.

Advisors from the Energy Saving Trust will be on hand to provide over-the-phone advice.

Additional in-person support will be extended to vulnerable households or residences in rural or "hard to treat homes".

More information on first-year availability of the service will be on energysavingtrust.org.uk from April.