A HOUSE promoting the benefits of saving energy will be opened to the public.

The ‘cosy home’ project, a joint venture between Ribble Valley Council and St Vincent’s Housing Association, will see a Grindleton house bought and supplied with the latest energy-saving fittings.

The project, to which the council will contribute £15,000, will be open to to show energy-saving benefits including thermal insulation, argon fitted windows and the heat recovery system.

Coun Bridget Hilton, chairman of the health and housing committee, said: “We think that this is the first such project in a rural setting. Something like this is absolutely worth the money and is much better than sending out leaflets about energy saving.

“People will be able to talk to others about how to save money.

“It’s a great scheme and I think that everyone will get behind it.”

After being used as a show home, the house will be sold and the council will receive its contribution back.

Charlie Norman, St Vincent’s chief executive said: “With energy efficiency and a squeeze on household budgets at the top of the agenda, we hope to demonstrate to both the public and businesses the benefits of introducing sustainability and environmental impact measures into existing housing stock.

“People often assume that with older properties it’s much harder to be green, but I think we have shown, through our cosy homes, that this isn’t the case.

“Obviously, not all of the measures we will be introducing into the cosy home will suit all pockets, but we hope to demonstrate a wide range of ideas to suit varying budgets”