SCHOOLS are being offered up free gardening tools and plants in Bicester in return for parent surveys into their energy use.

Cherwell District Council has teamed up with several schools in a bid to find out more about how families heat their homes in a town research project to cut costs.

Pupils of Brookside Primary School, Kings Meadow Primary School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School are eligible for the gardening goodies and parents can collect vouchers after filling in the questionnaire.

Cherwell District Council leader Barry Wood said: "The council and its partners have received a Government grant to work on LEMUR (Local Energy Mapping for Urban Retrofit).

"The project, funded by Innovate UK, is aimed at improving the energy performance of housing, alleviating fuel poverty and boosting the local economy.

"LEMUR will help plan retrofit projects and energy-saving measures, like loft insulation, boiler schemes or solar panel installation.

"As part of the research project we are launching a small pilot scheme in the Highfield area of Bicester."

The pilot would include a feasibility study into whether it is possible for Cherwell District Council to use such surveys to provide a programme of energy-saving on mass to community groups, local authorities and businesses.