A SCHEME to help tackle fuel poverty in Teesside has been given the thumbs up by the Prime Minister.

The Stockton Warm Zone project involves Stockton Borough Council and Transco working together to tackle 80 per cent of problems caused by fuel poverty in the borough within three years.

The scheme has been so successful that Tony Blair has announced the creation of other Warm Zones in Redcar and Cleveland.

In the first year, more than 18,000 homes in Stockton have been assessed for home efficiency grants, 8,000 surveys have been carried out, nearly 6,000 homes have been fitted with insulation and draught proofing, and 1,500 fitted with new central heating systems.

Mr Blair said: "I congratulate everyone involved in the project on what has already been achieved. The message from Stockton is that the tools are there to do something about fuel poverty.

"What is needed is the will and commitment, which is so much in evidence here."

David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said he was pleased the borough had been chosen as the next Warm Zone.

He said: "The project will ensure the borough is able to deliver its affordable warmth strategy, as well as meet the tough environmental targets too."