Communities across Scotland have been awarded over £4m from the Climate Challenge Fund to help reduce their carbon footprint and save residents cash.

Successful projects include using wool to insulate homes, a local food network in Fife and Community Power Down, the first cross-community project awarded cash from the Fund.

The Climate Challenge Fund provides a total of £27.4m to communities over three years to cut their carbon emissions at a local level.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "With climate change one of the most serious threats we face globally and locally, I am very pleased to see the Climate Challenge Fund capturing the imagination of many communities across Scotland.

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"This trail-blazing fund is empowering communities the length and breadth of Scotland to reduce their carbon footprints.

"A significant winner this time round is Community Power Down, which will help 27 mainly remote and rural communities to reduce their emissions."

Mr Lochhead said another notable winner is the Fife Diet, one of several successful projects aimed at developing local food initiatives. Recycling, sustainable travel and energy efficiency are other strong recurring themes.

Scottish Green Party MSP Patrick Harvie added: "It is exciting to see so many imaginative and inspirational community projects being successful in this latest round of awards from the Climate Challenge Fund.

"The Fund was a key part of last year's budget agreement between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government, so I take real personal pleasure in seeing it make such a positive difference."

The Green minister said the range and scope of the communities and projects receiving awards is incredibly encouraging.

(GK/JM)