HAMPSHIRE County Council has scooped a top award for keeping its residents warm during winter.

The Hitting the Cold Spots campaign won a Community Action Award and a £1,500 grant from the charity National Energy Action.

The campaign which is now in its fifth year, offers advice and support to people who find it difficult to keep warm during winter, providing home visits and cash so that residents can repair or upgrade their heating systems or fit emergency heaters.

The prize money the council was awarded will help fund an event to combat fuel poverty this September.

Adult social care boss, Cllr Liz Fairhurst, said: “This award is a testament to all those in the county council and our partners who work hard every day to ensure residents of any age in Hampshire are warm and safe during the winter months."

“Keeping your home warm and you and your family healthy in the winter can be expensive and sometimes difficult. Cold weather not only makes life uncomfortable but can also lead to serious health problems such as respiratory diseases, asthma, depression, heart disease or stroke.

“While it may be tempting to forget about it in the summer, I would urge residents not to wait until the colder months to get their heating and hot water problems sorted out.”

For more information about Hitting the Cold Spots call 0800 804 8601 or visit hants.gov.uk/cold-spots.