New grants for insulation are now available to local households.

Information days about the scheme are being run by Cilgwyn Community Group and the first is on September 28, from 11am, at Newport Memorial Hall.

This new scheme follows one run by the group in which 40 households benefited from a combined grant of £70,000 for solar hot water and other renewable heating. The group can still source solar hot water systems for £1,000 without any grants to under £3,000 with a government offer of an income from next year.

The new project is for external wall insulation. Normally applying it costs over £10,000 but there is currently an offer to apply it free, or almost free.

It is only available to solid walled houses without mains gas. Loft insulation and top ups are included.

Vicky Moller, who organises the schemes, says: "Wall insulation can be transformative, but coating a stone house in insulation and render is a significant alteration. It is important for householders to know the choices available and be certain that attention will be paid to the details such as damp proof courses, windows and gutters."