A MILLION-pound drive to eradicate fuel poverty in Chester-le-Street has been declared a success by council bosses.

Four years ago the Government told local authorities to eliminate fuel poverty by 2010, but Chester-le-Street District Council hopes to reach this target by 2004.

People are considered to live in fuel poverty when they spend more than ten per cent of their income on heating and lighting their homes.

In Chester-le-Street it is estimated that around 7,410 households would be living in fuel poverty caused by an inefficient use of energy, the cost of fuel and some families living in houses too big to heat properly.

Since 1998, the council has applied for grants and forming partnerships to wage a £1m war on energy inefficiency in homes throughout the district.

Council leader Malcolm Pratt said: "By making sure we accessed all available funding, targeted people most in need and promoted the grants as widely as possible, we have been able to cut fuel poverty in 3,516 households - almost half the 7,410 estimated to be at risk."

Environmental health manager Peter Wright said: "This year we had enough funding to insulate 500 council homes and a new initiative with Energy Action Grants Agency and Scottish Power, will allow us to do 1,300 homes with the same budget."

l Chester-le-Street Civic Centre hosts an energy clinic this Friday when advisors will be on hand to give free advice and help people to save money. The clinic will be held from 10am to 2.30pm.

If you cannot make it, you are asked to call the advice centre on 0800 512012 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 3.30pm on Friday