A PROJECT to help Kirklees people who struggle to pay fuel bills has won a major award.

Thousands of people have had energy-saving measures fitted under the scheme.

Its organisers have been rewarded with a Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice.

A total of 30,000 private sector homes seen to be affected were targeted.

With £32,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Kirklees Council and North Kirklees Primary Care Trust employed a fuel poverty officer to tackle the problems.

Energy bills have been cut by £119,048 as a result of the project, it is estimated.

Organisers said the success had contributed to a drop in winter deaths and a reduction in illnesses caused by poor living conditions.

Kay Beagley, energy efficiency officer at Kirklees Council said:

"The most rewarding thing for me has been seeing the visible improvements it has made to people's lives, health and self- esteem."

Council Cabinet member Clr David Payne said: "By focusing on the private rented sector, which has tended to be overlooked in the past, this project has brought real benefits."