At home with saving energy.

NEW eco-friendly homes built in a Northumberland town have been welcomed by a local MP.But Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell says the five properties in Blyth have demonstrated the need for a high standard of energy-efficiency in all new homes.

The houses, two of which have replaced damaged properties in The Avenues and three in Newsham, were the brainchild of the former Blyth Valley Council.

Mr Campbell said: "Visiting the sites of these new developments and having a good look round brought home to me just how many things can be done to save energy, and how new technology doesn't have to be complicated to make a difference.

"When building from new, things like rainwater harvesting, solar underfloor heating and full loft and cavity insulation can all be completed much more cheaply and simply than trying to retrospectively install them.

"We should be raising the bar as far as eco standards are concerned.''