A GOVERNMENT scheme is offering households in the North-East the opportunity to increase their energy efficiency.

Families could cut money on energy bills and warm their homes by becoming more energy efficient.

The Warm Up North initiative will offer hundreds of homes in the region a free energy efficiency assessment.

The assessments, which will offer expert advice and recommendations on improving efficiency, will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

The first 50 people to apply in each area covered – Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Newcastle, Northumberland, Redcar&Cleveland, South Tyneside and Sunderland – will receive an assessment.

For more information, visit warmupnorth.com or call 0800 2948073