SEVERAL hundred homes in the east Cleveland area are warmer thanks to an energy saving team.

Redcar and Cleveland Warm Zone team, sponsored by Transco, have helped improve heating in almost 500 homes in Kirkleatham.

The team hopes to complete improvements in another 100 Kirkleatham homes by the end of the year.

The Warm Zone is backed by the Government. Its partners include Coast and Country Housing and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Council leader Councillor David Walsh said: "It is only a short time since we welcomed Warm Zone to our borough and it's great to see the early results.

"They will make a real difference to the lives of many thousands of people in the area."