HOUSEHOLDERS on Exmoor who want to cut fuel bills by installing log or wood chip boilers can get a grant from Exmoor National Park Authority.

Robert Downes, Sustainability and Economy Officer for the Authority, said: "During the past few years homeowners across the area have seen huge increases in the cost of domestic oil and gas.

"The installation of a wood fuelled boiler would help to slash annual fuel costs, over two thirds less in some cases, as well as help to protect the environment by reducing the emission of carbon gases into the atmosphere."

He added: "Our new National Park Management Plan highlights our desire to see greater use of renewable sources to meet local energy needs and the development of a market for the supply of local sustainable wood, of which we have lots on Exmoor."

Mark Weatherlake, of Higher Court Farm, Treborough, said: "The performance of my 25 kilowatt log boiler, which provides central heating for the farmhouse, has been excellent. "My oil bills have been dramatically reduced and I expect to see payback on my initial investment in just a few years."

The authority awarded £10,000 to local co-operative South West Wood Fuels in 2004 to develop the market for household wood central heating systems.

A second grant in 2005 enabled SWWF to train plumbers in log boiler technology.

SWWF claims there is 8,000 tonnes of wood available on Exmoor, enough to provide 13% of Exmoor's heating requirements, heating 200 of the 400 farms on the moor.

They say using the wood to replace of fossil fuel could save 3,200,000 litres of oil and 8,600,000 tonnes of CO2.

Ring 01398 324558 for more information or visit info@swwf.info