Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Anne Robertson has joined Aberdeenshire East MSP Alex Salmond to launch a free loft and cavity wall insulation scheme for private residents in north Aberdeenshire.

They visited the home of Strichen resident Peter Smith, 66, as his home became one of the first in north Aberdeenshire to benefit from free insulation under the latest round of the Universal Home Insulation Scheme.

Mr Smith applied for free loft insulation after responding to a letter about the scheme, which will be used to top-up the shallow insulation already in place in his loft.

Around 20,000 households in Buchan and Banff and Buchan could benefit from free loft and cavity wall insulation following a successful £620,000 bid to the Scottish Government.

Aberdeenshire Council submitted a joint bid in conjunction with Save Cash and Reduce Fuel (SCARF) as part of the second round of funding under the Universal Home Insulation Scheme, which has also received financial support from Scottish Power.

Homeowners and private tenants in north Aberdeenshire are already being contacted and urged to take advantage of the offer.

The first round of the scheme saw around 1,400 insulation measures installed in Peterhead and Fraserburgh during 2010/11.

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Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Anne Robertson said: “Rising energy prices and the fierce winters we often experience in Aberdeenshire means it can be a challenge to keep homes warm during the colder months.

“Ensuring your home is properly insulated is a quick and simple way of helping to reduce heating bills, and I would encourage homeowners in Buchan and Banff and Buchan to take advantage of the opportunity to boost their insulation for free, just as Mr Smith has done.”

Alex Salmond, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, said: “Price hikes from fuel companies continue to threaten homes across Scotland with fuel poverty, which has no place in this energy-rich nation.

“We need to make sure we are as prepared as possible for our north-east winters, and this new funding boost for Aberdeenshire households will not only tackle fuel poverty this year, but will continue to drive down winter bills for years to come.

“Aberdeenshire Council successfully bid for the scheme and will administer the allocated fund. I encourage as many homes as possible to take up this opportunity which can significantly ease the pressure of energy bills on household budgets.”

Chief executive officer for SCARF Jean Morrison said: “I am delighted that we are now into the second round of the insulation scheme and that many more households could potentially benefit.

“Boosting insulation is one of the simplest steps that can help householders reduce their fuel bills and, with the chance of having it done for free under the scheme, there’s no better time to take this simple but effective step.”

Home Energy Assessors are now touring north Aberdeenshire to provide adviceabout the initiative and to arrange appointments for home surveys.

There are three ways to apply for the free insulation:

• Complete and return the home energy check being sent by post

• Phone SCARF on 0844 8460551 to complete the home energy check on the phone or make an appointment for the assessor to visit at home

• Complete the home energy check when the assessor visits

Council tenants will not receive home insulation through the Universal Home Insulation Scheme as this has been arranged separately by the authority. Home Energy Assessors will be visiting council tenants to provide free energy efficiency advice and benefits checks.

(GK)