A Council-led heating initiative has encouraged over 400 Antrim people to invest in £8,000-worth of special oil savings stamps.

Antrim Borough Council said the scheme has proved a great success, with many more residents now choosing to participate in the saving service.

The idea behind the scheme is to help people budget for oil bills, and the Council has encouraged those who haven't done so to sign-up before those winter bills start to arrive.

Philip Thompson, Health and Well-being Manager with Antrim Council, said: "The oil stamp saving scheme was introduced initially into Crumlin and such was its success it was extended into Antrim Town.

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"All you have to do is buy £5 stamps at registered retailers and place them on your official savings card, which can then be exchanged with participating oil companies.

"To date over 400 households have registered with the Council for the scheme. Each month the number of stamps sold increases, with £8,000 sold during July.

"We also noticed that the sale of stamps continued throughout the summer.

"This indicates that the local community is using the scheme to budget for their winter oil purchases by building up stamps during the summer when they use less oil," added Mr Thompson.

Alderman Sam Dunlop, Chair of Antrim Borough Warm Homes Action Group, who initiated the scheme, said: "I would like to thank the local shops and oil companies who are participating in the scheme and receiving no financial benefit.

"They just want to help local residents and their customers meet rising fuel costs."

(PR)