ADVICE on reducing energy bills and switching providers is being given in a North-East town where more than a fifth of its homes are suffering from fuel poverty.

‘Heat & Eat’ events are taking place in Middlesbrough at Thorntree Community Hub on Tuesday, February 18 from 9am to noon and Grove Hill Community Hub on Thursday, February 20, from 1pm to 5pm.

Experts will be on hand to offer advice on cutting energy bills and the weekly food shop as well as showing off their culinary skills with cookery demonstrations.

Edward Kunonga, Middlesbrough Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Around 22 per cent of Middlesbrough’s homes are currently in fuel poverty, with householders spending 10 per cent or more of their income on keeping warm.

“Residents have also seen sharp rises in food prices. We need to ensure that the health and wellbeing of residents is not challenged further by high fuel bills and poor diet.”