An historic former workman's cottage in Attleborough has been brought into the 21st century having been equipped with the latest energy efficiency technology.

Number 4 Gaymer Memorial Cottages, which was built in 1948, was selected as one of 87 projects across the country to be 'retrofitted' following a national competition in 2009.

The scheme, spearheaded by Hastoe Housing Association, received �150,000 from the government-backed Technology Strategy Board for the work, which included the use of advance insulation products, as well as an air source heat pump and solar panels.

ECD Architects designed the retrofit while contractor Roalco was chosen to complete the eco refurbishment, which started in October last year and finished in March.

It has resulted in a 92pc cut in the cottage's carbon emissions, which will save current resident Margaret Lawrence about �800 per year.

The project was officially opened by MP George Freeman last Friday, who planted an apple tree in honour of the cottage's connections with the former Gaymer Cider Company.

Mr Freeman said: 'This is an inspiring example of cutting edge innovation combined with Norfolk heritage showing the power of what we can achieve with the best of the old and the best of the new.

'To see old houses with long connections to Norfolk agriculture being converted into world class demonstrations of energy efficiency by an innovative housing association is very exciting.'

Anne McLoughlin-Flynn, operations director at Hastoe, added: 'This retrofit project has been a true opportunity to learn, through the testing of low carbon technologies on a post-war cottage property. So many homes with very little insulation and poor heating systems exist here in the UK and in rural areas in particular fuel poverty is a real problem.

'This eco refurbishment has proved that energy efficiency savings can be made and the carbon footprint of existing homes can be reduced.'

Resident Mrs Lawrence said: 'I saw the cottages being built in the 1940s and never imagined that I would see them upgraded in this way. I think that it is fantastic that the retrofit has provided me with a warmer, more efficient home that is kinder to the environment.'