A network of oil buying clubs are to be set up across Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has selected Bryson Energy to establish a network of clubs and will work on behalf of the club members by negotiating the best price for a bulk order and arranging delivery.

With the majority of all households in Northern Ireland (68%) dependent on oil heating, the new scheme will assist householders in budgeting for oil deliveries on a monthly basis.

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The scheme is open to all housing tenures including owner-occupiers, housing association and Housing Executive tenants as well as private-rented tenants.

Welcoming the scheme, Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, said: "Oil buying clubs offer people the opportunity to join with others in buying their home heating oil in bulk, achieving a better price than smaller, more costly refills.

"There may be some communities who have been interested in embarking on such a scheme but perhaps are unsure of going it alone. This initiative will offer households support through Bryson Energy who will act as project co-ordinator.

"The Housing Executive and Bryson Energy are to be commended for offering this opportunity to households of all tenures at a time when fuel costs are a very real issue for families across Northern Ireland."

(CD/JP)