RESIDENTS in a former mining village are already enjoying the benefits of external wall insulation.

To increase energy efficiency and reduce heat loss, insulation has been fitted to the outside walls of ten homes in Wagtail Terrace, Craghead, near Stanley,

The scheme is funded by owners, Warm Up North and Durham County Council.

Families could benefit from warmer homes and lower energy bills, potentially saving up to £180 per year for mid-terrace properties, with end terrace households on the street potentially saving as much as £270 per year.

The pre-1920s homes have solid exterior walls that typically allow twice as much heat to escape than newer buildings with cavity walls.

Ian Weatherston, head of Warm Up North, said: “Older style properties with solid walls, such as the former miners cottages in Craghead, can be much more expensive to heat than homes with cavity walls.“Traditional methods of installing insulation are simply not possible and although an extremely effective solution, external wall insulation can be an expensive option.

"However, we’re delighted to have been able to help residents in Craghead to benefit from these energy efficiency measures as part of our first major external wall insulation project in partnership with Durham County Council.”