A former Rolls Royce employee says his home will be “much more cosy” during the winter as improvements were made to make his house warmer.

Lesley Clark moved into his new home in Abbots Langley 60 years ago, with it having been heated by just one hot water tank in the kitchen, one radiator, and a coal fire.

But thanks to a new Green Homes Grant scheme, his house has recently been fitted with wall insulation which will keep it warmer in the winters ahead.

In the intervening years, Lesley and his late wife Beryl raised six children in their house in Abbots Langley, which has had many improvements over the years, including central heating.

But Lesley is confident the latest work will make all the difference.

The 88-year-old said: “Now I am getting older I do feel the cold. Rather than putting a blanket over me, I’ll have a warmer house.

“The outside wall in the winter was like a block of ice before – now it will be much more cosy.”

Lesley is among many local residents to benefit from the Green Homes Grant scheme run by Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for homes to receive energy efficiency measures such as external wall insulation for free.

Under the scheme, households can also apply to have fully funded solar panels installed.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “It is clear what a real difference insulation makes to residents’ everyday lives, so we are delighted to be able to work in partnership with Three Rivers District Council and Watford Community Housing to offer grants to the people in our communities who need it most.

“We hope this will improve the lives of our residents and provide a greener energy solution for our towns.”

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, the Leader of Three Rivers District Council, added: “These grants have been making a real difference to people’s lives right across the district.

"I am so pleased to see so many residents have already taken advantage of this scheme and made their homes more efficient and more environmentally friendly in the process.”

Having been awarded £1.7m Green Homes Grant funding from the government, the two local authorities have been able to improve the energy efficiency of 46 homes so far, and plan to improve a further 151 homes (both private and social) in the coming months.

In the first phase of the grant scheme, the councils have been working in close partnership with local housing association, Watford Community Housing, to upgrade a large number of their properties.

Residents can apply for this funding if they have a combined household income of less than £30,000 per year and live in a property with a low energy efficiency rating (G, F, E or D rating).

The councils have partnered with energy company E.ON to deliver the grant funding and are encouraging residents who think they may qualify to contact E.ON and take advantage of the opportunity while it is available.

Contact E.ON on their free helpline 0333 202 4820 or click here to find out more.