A HOUSING association has announced further plans to fit energy saving solar panels on some of its oldest properties.

By the end of the 2013/14 financial year, Durham Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association (DAMHA) will have retrofitted solar panels on almost 100 homes across the region.

And in 2014/15, a further 70 homes will have the panels installed, bringing the total investment to just under 1m.

The Association already fit the panels, which use the sun's energy to help to heat the water in the homes, in all its new-build properties, but it is keen to ensure that people living in older properties do not miss out on the same benefits.

Brian Stobbs, DAMHA's Head of Asset Management, said: "Whilst it is not possible to fit solar panels on all our older properties due to factors such as where the houses are in relation to the sun, it is our intention to install as many as possible as part of our yearly planned maintenance programme.

"All our new properties come with the panels fitted as standard and these do help to reduce energy costs, so we feel it is important that just because people live in properties that are in some cases over 70 years old they should be able to benefit as well.

Areas where solar panels have been fitted to homes, some of which are more than 70 years old, include Easington Village, Consett, Blackhall, Sunderland and Seaham.