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."