ALMOST 200 people have benefited from a warmer home this winter thanks to the Stockton Warm Zone.

During the past year, Sue Mylan and Yvette Cooper, who are based at Stockton Borough Council's welfare rights section in Billingham, have made 926 home visits, which have resulted in claims from 192 people.

Laurence Wade, director of Stockton Warm Zone, said: "We realised that, in addition to the insulation work we were carrying out in people's homes, we could also help householders make the most of their income by helping them apply for unclaimed benefits.

"Sue and Yvonne have done a brilliant job in the first year. Nearly 200 homes have been able to access benefits which people are entitled to, but were unaware they could claim."

In the past three months, from the 190 home visits the pair carried out, £139,000 in claims has been generated.

Mr Wade said: "There are about 13,000 homes in Stockton which are fuel-poor.

"That means they spend more than ten per cent of their income on heating their homes.

"Our work includes carrying out energy efficiency surveys, installing central heating, energy advice and benefits advice."