A ground-breaking energy project is on the brink of collapse after meeting with apathy from the Bradford public.

The pioneering Energy Ambassadors Project, which was launched before Christmas, is on the verge of losing its funding after failing to attract the 20 retired volunteers it needs.

David Parsons, EAP worker, said: "In a population the size of Bradford's, not to get 20 or so older people coming forward to volunteer a little of their time for such a worthwhile cause is very disappointing."

The project, run in partnership by Bradford Energy Conservation Group and Age Concern, is designed to help householders, small businesses and the community to obtain free, impartial and professional advice from fellow community members.

Volunteers would be trained to City and Guilds standard in energy efficiency.

But if volunteers are not found within the next few weeks then £20,000 of funding contributed by energy conservation charity EAGA, Yorkshire Electricity, Grattan and the Shell Better Britain Campaign will have to be returned.

Bradford was chosen as the location for the innovative pilot project as a response to the lack of publicly available energy advice in the city.

At the moment the nearest local Energy Advice Centre to Bradford is in Leeds.

The project aims to train 20 older people as energy ambassadors to advise their local communities on ways of saving energy and keeping warm during cold winter months. If successful the project could go on to be replicated nationwide.

Carol Wooller, chief officer for Bradford and District Age Concern, said: "It would be a shame if the project had to close. Schemes in other parts of the country have proved to be a great success.

"It's an extremely useful project which would benefit Bradford a tremendous amount."

The pilot phase of the project is set to run for 14 months with training sessions one day every week for the initial five weeks.

Project leaders are especially keen to hear from volunteers over the age of 55 who would be willing to commit themselves to the project for the next year.

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