Middlesbrough Council has won top marks from the Government for achieving a 26 per cent increase in domestic energy efficiency.

The council has been England's top performing authority in this field for six years and aims to do even better in future.

Alan Barnfield, the council's housing services projects officer, said it would result in lower bills, warmer homes and less pollution.

He said: "We are delighted with this excellent result, which has been achieved through prudent capital investment, the replacement of outdated and inefficient heating equipment and a rolling programme of insulation measures.

"The maximisation of the Government and utility funded energy efficiency schemes has complemented the work of the council and will ensure that Middlesbrough achieves the target of 30 per cent energy efficiency improvement by 2005.''