People struggling to pay heating bills or living in cold homes will benefit from a share of £264,000, after a successful bid by a new group of public and voluntary organisations.

Almost 30 organisations and voluntary groups joined Surrey County Council to keep people warm and healthy during the winter.

One of the Surrey Healthy Homes partnership schemes will see vulnerable people in Elmbridge given taxi vouchers to get to GP appointments Another will see Action Surrey use the Department of Health money to insulate lofts and walls free of charge.

Councillor Michael Gosling said: “It’s excellent news that by joining forces as one team we have been successful in winning this money.

“It is a great opportunity for the county council to work with voluntary and community organisations to ensure that support gets right to the heart of communities.”