VANDALS have ransacked an energy efficient show-home aimed at saving every Blackburn and Darwen householder hundreds of pounds a year.

The Hot House advice centre was due to be opened by Blackburn with Darwen Council on Thursday to serve as an example of how residents can slash heating and electricity bills.

But the launch, timed to coincide with National Housing Week, has been put on hold following the wrecking spree.

Today council spokesman Bill Haworth said everyone was disappointed that the launch had been delayed by the act of "mindless vandalism".

He added: "They kicked in the front door and damaged some fixtures and fittings.

"We decided to open the house earlier than initially intended because we wanted it to fit in with National Housing Week but a lot of hard work has been spoiled.

"This project is not just for the benefit of the council or council tenants, it is for the benefit of everyone in the borough." The show-house, in Addison Street, Blackburn, has been designed as a model of energy conservation and contains a variety of devices aimed at cutting fuel costs.

It was made possible by a £90,000 Energy Saving Trust's Home Energy Conservation Action Award.

The award followed a successful bid prepared in conjunction with the fuel company Glow Worm which fitted the house with the energy saving features.

The money enabled the council's Housing Department to convert two ground floor flats and two maisonettes into a special centre to provide energy saving lessons.

Mr Haworth said a new launch date would be set once repairs had been carried out.

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