A PIONEERING three-year scheme to help stamp out fuel poverty in Stockton has been declared a success by a government minister.

Stockton Warm Zone, which ended in March, was given the seal of approval by MP Nigel Griffiths, the man who heads the UK's campaign against fuel poverty.

The praise came at a joint event at Newcastle's St James' Park this week to celebrate the success of Stockton Warm Zone and the launch of Warm Zone in Newcastle.

Newcastle Warm Zone is modelled on the work carried out in Stockton.

Stockton Warm Zone director Beccy Brown said: "Stockton Warm Zone was one of the first projects of its kind in the UK designed to systematically target and eradicate fuel poverty and it has been a fantastic success.

"By fitting measures like free loft and cavity wall insulation, and in some cases even central heating, we have managed to lift 6,000 homes from fuel poverty.

"This is far more than we'd originally anticipated and that's why Stockton's project has been selected as the model for the new Newcastle Warm Zone, which will visit 120,000 homes over the next four years."

Mr Griffiths said: "The achievements of Stockton's Warm Zone over the last three years offer a shining example of the public and private sector working hand in hand to deliver practical solutions to complex social issues."

Comfort Zone, a joint project to stop fuel poverty between Stockton Borough Council and the North Tees Primary Care Trust, again with backing from Transco and British Gas, will continue for three years in Stockton.