A resident who landed a £2,700 grant for a new boiler to help keep his home warmer this winter has urged others to bid for cash themselves.

Les Smith, of Sacketts Grove Caravan Park, Clacton, applied for a new boiler under the Defra funded Warm Front scheme.

And within weeks his old boiler had been removed and replaced with a brand new one - without him having to find a penny towards it!

"I heard about the scheme, contacted Warm Front, was assessed, and contractors came in and did all the work," said Mr Smith, who has lived at Sacketts Grove for three years.

"I did not even have to make a contribution and it could not have been easier. It was all sorted in about six to eight weeks."

Mr Smith said someone even went round to his home to check everything was working properly after it was fitted.

"It was absolutely great and I would urge anyone in my position to do the same," he added. "I am very happy - and hopefully warmer this winter."

Mr Smith was one of almost 2,000 homes in Tendring to benefit from a total cash pot of £1,726,023 ploughed into the district in 2007/2008.

In the previous 12 months there was £1,149,538 for people in Tendring, and between June 2005 and March 2006 they received £270,269 in installations.

So far between April and June this year 318 eligible applications have resulted in works worth £471,697 being installed.

Gale Marriott, Warm Front co-ordinator for Essex, said that the amount for 2007/2008 was more in Tendring than anywhere else in Essex.

She praised Tendring District Council (TDC) for its commitment to the scheme and helping to make it such a success in the area.

Cllr Lawrie Payne, Portfolio Holder for Benefits and Revenues at TDC, and Cllr Mark Cossens, Portfolio Holder for Housing at TDC, went along to Mr Smith's home to see how he had benefited and to receive a cheque from Warm Front.

They were delighted that so many vulnerable residents had been helped under the initiative.

Qualifying households can receive up to £2,700 to help pay for energy saving measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, central heating, replacement boilers and heating repairs.
Some homes requiring oil central heating may also qualify for a grant of up to £4,000 under the initiative.

Those likely to be eligible for a grant are householders who are disabled, people who suffer from a long-term illness, are elderly, have a child under 16, or are pregnant. To be able to get a grant householders should be in receipt of an income or disability benefit and live in their own home or rent it from a private landlord.

Anyone who wants to know if they qualify for a grant should call the Warm Front helpline free on 0800 316 2814. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

See also our page of information about grants for insulation and heating