WEST Oxfordshire businesses are being invited to find out how to become an approved installer for the Green Deal energy-efficiency scheme.

The national project launched by the Government aims to give householders the chance to make energy-efficiency improvements to their homes and pay the cost back through savings on their energy bills.

West Oxfordshire District Council is working with a consortium of other local authorities and the National Energy Foundation to set up a community interest company to become an approved Green Deal provider, helping local residents through the application process and arranging for work to be carried out by approved installers.

The consortium is organising a free Green Deal installer workshop in Witney next month to give traders information about the scheme.

The events is at The Blue Boar, in Market Square, on Tuesday, July 2, from 8am to 9am. Registration and breakfast will be available from 7.30am.

Places at the workshop are limited and places must be booked in advance online at green-deal-installer-witney-eorg.eventbrite.com/# or by calling 0300 111 3330.

Among the energy-saving measures for homes which can be funded under the Green Deal are insulation, new heating systems, double glazing, draught-proofing and renewable technologies such as solar panels.

David Harvey, the district council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “During a continuing difficult economic climate, this could provide a welcome boost for installation businesses and tradespeople.”