Excess heat from steel plants could be utilised to heat Sheffield and decrease the city's carbon emissions.

This is according to specialists at Sheffield University's engineering faculty, who believe that the numerous steel plants situated just outside the city centre could be attached to an existing heating network.

Professor Vida Sharifi, who led the research, suggested that the technology could be used in other British cities.

"The government has estimated that if district heating were used across the UK in areas with high heat demand, it could supply around 5.5 million properties and contribute a fifth of the UK’s heating needs."

Sheffield University's research comes after a spokesperson from Sustain Worldwide advised that firms can boost the energy efficiency of their properties by making use of sustainably sourced materials.

Gordon Miller, co-founder and sustainability and communications director of Sustain Worldwide,  added that 25 per cent of heat loss occurs through the roofs of under-insulated buildings.