EIGHT businesses and 14 households have been given a £170,000 boost thanks to a Bicester scheme aimed at saving energy.

In January, Cherwell District Council launched its green deal initiative to make properties more energy efficient.

The first 100 people to register were given a free assessment worth £100, and now 14 of those households will get the work done for free.

It includes solar panels, energy efficient boilers and wall and loft insulation and is due to start within weeks.

Eight firms, six from Oxfordshire, have won the contract to fit the new equipment.

The move is part of Cherwell’s £564,000 Eco Bicester project aimed at making the town more energy efficient. Other initiatives have included subsidised cavity and loft insulation.

Nigel Morris, left, the council’s lead member for clean and green, said: “In the current economic climate every penny counts. So it’s great that through this innovative scheme, which sets out to save people money on their bills, we’re also able to give the local economy a boost by employing local businesses to carry out the work.

“With work now set to begin on providing these environmentally-friendly demonstration packages, we hope these will be the first of many installations which will continue to generate financial benefits to local residents and businesses alike.”