WORKERS battling fuel poverty are celebrating after winning a major award.

Assessors working for the two Warm Zones in Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland planted an oak at the entrance to Stillington Forest Park, near Stockton, on behalf of their sponsor Transco.

The tree was presented to Transco at the regional Business in the Community Awards for Excellence.

Judges were impressed by the company's collaboration with both Stockton Borough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to help set up the two Warm Zone projects.

Warm Zones are Government-backed initiatives to help people who spend more than ten per cent of their income on heating their homes.

They do this by installing free energy-efficiency measures such as loft and wall insulation.

So far, the Warm Zones have helped more than 10,000 households across the two boroughs, and created jobs for about 50 people.

Stockton Warm Zone director Beccy Brown said recognition from Business in the Community was good news.

She said: "The Warm Zone in Stockton is now in its third and final year, and is well on the way to meeting its target of helping 13,000 homes in the borough.

"Hopefully, the oak tree at the entrance to Stillington Forest Park will be a lasting reminder of the work that has been achieved."

Other partners involved in the projects include Coast and Country Housing and British Gas.