HUNDREDS of vulnerable families who are struggling to heat their homes could be boosted by a new partnership between The Children’s Society and Northern Gas Networks.

More than 25,000 children in the district are estimated to be part of families who have experienced energy debt problems.

The tie-up between the charity - a leading campaigner on fuel poverty - and Northern Gas Networks (NGN) aims to identify and help vulnerable families through a range of measures.

The pilot scheme was announced by the Bishop of Bradford Toby Howarth at Mortimer House Children's Centre, in Fagley, today.

He said: "In the Bradford area the church is very aware of families in poverty struggling to afford to heat their homes.

"I am very pleased to support this initiative which we hope will make a big difference to vulnerable families."

The area director for The Children’s Society in Yorkshire Jane Middleton added: "Poverty and debt are blighting the lives of thousands of families with many of them unable to give their children a hot meal, a warm bath and keep them healthy.

"We’re delighted to partner with NGN on this vital project which will bring affordable warmth to local families and vulnerable children and help many escape the energy debt trap."

The project will offer energy debt and benefits advice, free gas connections for off-grid households and community workshops about energy efficiency and the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Vulnerable families who need support from the scheme will also be referred to the project by the children’s centres and professionals such as health visitors and social workers.

Research by The Children’s Society said the impact of fuel poverty can be devastating, with families unable to give their child a warm bath or cook them a hot meal.

Children living in fuel debt are more likely to become ill or have trouble sleeping and their parents are at risk of stress, anxiety and depression.

The Children's Society's report, Show Some Warmth: Exposing the Damaging Impact of Energy Debt on Children, shows in Bradford East 3,700 children are estimated to live in fuel poverty. For Bradford South and Bradford West it is 4,300 and 2,600 respectively. In Batley and Spen the figure is 4,100, Calder Valley has 3,700, Keighley, 3,500 and Shipley, 3,600 children.

Tom Bell, head of social strategy for NGN, said: “Fuel poverty is a huge issue in our region.

"The partnership will provide a crucial vehicle for Northern Gas Networks to identify families living in cold, poorly heated and badly insulated homes by tapping into the information that the charity holds through its vital outreach work.”