Almost 400 homes in Maryport will benefit from a £3 million windfall from a housing association. 

Home Group will spend to make the houses warmer and more energy efficient.

The majority of the 370 houses are in the town's Ewanrigg ward.

Mitie Property Services has been appointed to install external wall insulation on some of Home's older properties and some houses will benefit from improved windows and roofing.

A Home spokesman said the company has previously worked with Mitie elsewhere in Cumbria to install external wall insulation to its properties.

He added: "Customers who have had work completed have reported warmer homes and lower heating bills."

Louise Barkes, Home Group lead maintenance contract manager, said: "As a responsible not-for-profit landlord it’s important to Home Group that we provide our customers with homes which are energy efficient.

"Some of our customers are economically vulnerable and this scheme will ensure they can get greater value for money when heating their homes and make them more comfortable to live in.

"This multi-million pound investment in Maryport is just one of the many schemes we’ve carried out in West Cumbria with Mitie recently."

The external wall insulation is mainly carried out on older properties which do not have cavity walls. In addition to helping homes retain heat more efficiently the properties are also rendered improving their appearance and improving the neighbourhood.