HOUSEHOLDERS in a rural borough who live in cold or damp homes are being urged to apply for special grants to help them stay warm.

Ribble Valley Council’s affordable warmth grant is available for the servicing, repair and replacement of boilers, radiators and heating appliances.

But the grants are only available for as long as funds last.

They help low-income households in receipt of means-tested benefits, or with a gross household income of less than £31,000, and with vulnerable members (such as the over-65s, under-fives and pregnant women, those with cardiovascular and respiratory problems, a disability or mental health condition) stay warm.

Up to £4,000 per property is available for the servicing, repair and replacement of boilers, the purchase of oil-filled heaters and dehumidifiers, or dedicated home energy assessments by the Home Improvement Agency.

Mark Hindle, chairman of Ribble Valley Council’s health and housing committee, said: “There are a high number of hard-to-heat properties in Ribble Valley and our affordable warmth fund aims to help those vulnerable households stay warm.

“Improving the health and wellbeing of local people is one of the council’s key priorities and we are keen to offer this much-needed help to anyone living in a cold or damp home.”

The affordable warmth fund is administered by Ribble Valley Council on behalf of Lancashire County Council.