SOUTH Hetton Women's Institute will give a warm welcome next week at its monthly meeting.

A representative from Powergen's Staywarm service, a fixed cost electricity and gas scheme for the over-60s, has been invited to address the meeting at the Jubilee Centre and answer questions.

Local Staywarm advisor Joyce Smith said: "This is a valuable opportunity for us to explain how the service works and reach older people and their families with vital information on the scheme and insulation grants for which they can apply."

Anyone in the South Hetton area with one member of the household aged over 60 may be eligible for Staywarm.

Electricity and gas customers pay a fixed low price - weekly, fortnightly or monthly, based on the number of people who live in their home and the number of bedrooms.

The price they pay will be fixed for a year from when they sign up.

Staywarm advisors also refer all customers who are eligible to the Warm Front scheme, which provides grants of up to £2,500 for insulation and heating measures.

For details, contact freephone 0800 169 4694.