Households in North West Leicestershire could benefit from homes that are warmer and cheaper thanks to new funding.

Leicestershire County Council has been awarded a £6.8 million pot of Government money to make improvements to homes across the county.

These will focus on making homes more energy efficient to reduce energy costs for households and making them warmer and greener, the authority has said.

Around 350 homes across the county could benefit from improvements like loft, cavity and solid wall insulation or solar panels.

Anyone who applies will have an inspection to assess what would be best for their home and their needs, a spokeswoman for the county council has said.

The funding is targeted at homes which do not have mains gas as their main source of heating. Households with an annual income of less than £31,000, those on means-tested benefits, or those in a "priority area" are all eligible to apply. You can check if you are in a priority area online at Leicestershire County Council's "Green Living Leicestershire Home Upgrade Grant" page.

Homes must also have a recent – within the last three years – energy performance certificate rating (EPC) of D, E, F or G. If your ECP is more than three years old, the council will arrange for a new one free of charge. If you rent, your landlord must have less than five rental properties and not have received more than £315,000 in financial assistance. Landlords will be expected to contribute a third of the cost of any work and must agree to the work being done.

The Home Upgrade Grant is delivered through Green Living Leicestershire, a partnership between Leicestershire authorities who work collectively to deliver projects supporting sustainability and net zero across the county. The partnership is delivering funding on behalf of North West Leicestershire District Council among other authorities in the county.

A similar scheme using Sustainable Warmth Competition funding last year saw more than £1.75m spent on installing energy-efficient measures in almost 170 homes across the county so far, with additional works due to be completed by the end of September. Laura was among those who benefited from the funding, with cavity wall and loft insulation being installed in her Charnwood home. She said: "I was struggling to afford to heat my home. I applied for the scheme and qualified for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. Without the scheme, I would not have been able to afford the work at all.

"The installation process was very quick and easy, and I am very pleased with the results. I have noticed that I have needed my heating on less since having the work done, and my home feels warmer too. It's now much easier to stay warm. The house is warmer for longer and not feeling cold during the night is an amazing feeling."

Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "The Home Upgrade Grant Scheme will not only help residents with the cost of living by reducing their fuel bills, but it will also help us towards our target of Leicestershire becoming a net zero county by 2045 by cutting carbon emissions, as well as protecting people from the health risks associated with cold and damp homes."