The residents of three south Norfolk villages will be cutting down on energy use and slashing fuel costs following district council funding.

Parish councils at Thurlton, Bunwell and Rockland St Mary won a share of �30,000 in the final round of South Norfolk Council's greenest community competition.

Rockland St Mary Parish Council was awarded �15,000 and Thurlton Parish Council �10,000 to install loft and cavity wall insulation for local people to cut their energy bills.

A further �5,000 was awarded to Bunwell Parish Council to trial air source heat pumps to save electricity costs in people's homes. More than 20 bids were submitted to South Norfolk Council for community environmental projects and eight groups have won a share of �65,000.

Deputy leader Martin Wilby said: 'This competition is a fantastic example of the big society in action – as we are giving power back to our residents to directly improve their communities. This latest round of funding will increase the energy efficiency of hundreds of local homes and tackle fuel poverty head-on.'