A CAMPAIGN to fight household poverty in the North-East is being launched today by charities, housing associations and councils.

The £1.25m Here to Help programme, co-ordinated by British Gas, will bring together a range of the region's social housing providers.

It aims to help 4,000 of the poorest households in the region, with energy-saving products and advice, providing funding of up to £2,000 per home.

Neil Marshall, British Gas head of social responsibility, said: "We hope that, through today's meeting event, many more social housing providers will see the value of the programme and come on board to join us in our fight against household poverty."

The conference, at St James' Park, in Newcastle, will unveil four schemes already under way across the region.

Home Housing North-East will carry out improvements to more than 2,000 homes, costing more than £220,000. Middlesbrough Council is helping about 250 households with a £27,500 project.

In Sunderland, the New Deal for Communities is working with 2,400 households with aid worth more than £250,000. South Tyneside Council has £70,000 to improve 600 homes.

Measures will include providing cavity wall and loft insulation and installing condensing boilers, to help keep homes warmer and save money on energy bills.

More vulnerable members of society will receive security improvements and can also access grants for home appliances such as fridges or fridge-freezers, including special adaptors for older and disabled people.

Charities backing the partnership include Help the Aged, Scope, Save the Children, the Family Welfare Association, RNIB, Gingerbread and the National Debt Line.