A charity manager who has helped elderly people across Worcestershire remain warm in their homes without harbouring concerns about their fuel bills has collected a national award.
Rachel Jones was presented with the honour from National Energy Action at the House of Commons, after being nominated by Act on Energy representative David Jullien, reports the Worcester News.
Act on Energy chief executive David Jullien told the newspaper: "Rachel has worked incredibly hard over the past seven years devising ways to help elderly people who are really struggling to keep warm."
Mr Jullien emphasised that, due to the high cost of fuel, many people are wary of using their heating as they believe they may not be able to afford their bills.
Recent research by the Money Advice Trust found that its National Debtline has seen a significant increase in the number of people it helps who are suffering from fuel debt.
A total of 13.7 per cent of calls to the phone line now concern the issue, a rise from 2004's figure of 2.7 per cent.