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GREEN WASH: Rose Pulford, left, shows neighbour Pat Gibb her A-rated energy-saving dishwasher.

RESIDENTS have dramatically cut their fuel bills in a bid to live in Britain's greenest street.

People of Green Lane in Bursledon have already reduced their energy consumption by 22 per cent and shaved hundreds of pounds off their fuel bills as part of the national Green Streets Challenge.

The eco-friendly lane is one of eight UK roads taking part in the British Gas competition to reduce their energy consumption - and their spending - in a year.

Residents in each street were given £30,000 in January to spend on energy-saving equipment from lightbulbs and loft insulation to solar panels.

The winning street will receive £50,000 to spend on a community project of their choice.

To be in with a chance, Bursledon must beat the energy-saving efforts of "green streets" in Manchester, Leeds, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Plymouth.

Eight households in Green Lane have so far reduced their energy usage by 22 per cent, putting them in a respectable fourth place.

But they still need to beat leaders Leeds (29 per cent) as well as Plymouth and Cardiff (both 23 per cent).

Manchester is currently bottom of the green streets league with an energy saving of just seven per cent in four months.

Lorien and David Carey of Bursledon's Green Lane have so far managed to slash their fuel bills by 20 per cent, saving an impressive £90 on gas and electricity since the challenge began.

Meanwhile, their neighbours Alan and Rose Pulford have seen a 40 per cent reduction in their gas bill since installing more than £1,000 worth of energy saving gadgets in their home as part of the competition.

"We are amazed at the savings we have been able to make so far," said Rose, 63.

"We have all pulled together as a community to change the way we use energy in the home. Just taking simple, manageable steps has made a noticeable difference to our fuel bills."

MP for Eastleigh Chris Huhne visited Green Lane recently to see how residents were faring in the Green Streets Challenge.

He said: "Energy efficiency in the home is one of the easiest ways for people to cut their CO2 emissions and make a real difference to the environment.

"The Green Streets challenge shows that small changes to the way we use energy are not only good for the environment but also help ordinary householders save money on their fuel bills. I am delighted that our area is playing its part in this important initiative."

Find out more about Green Streets at britishgas.co.uk/greenstreets.

2:25pm Thursday 10th July 2008

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