Residents in a small corner of Fife have seen their energy bills slashed by an average of £220 by a community collaboration.
The North Howe Transition Toun, run by residents of Letham, Collessie and Giffordtown, has been named the best green community initiative at the Scottish Green Awards.
They were nominated for their work in fostering their community and improving the environment through sustainable transport and local food.
The award was also for the ”CaRB project” the group’s energy-saving initiative, which cut £220 from average household energy bills and reduced carbon emissions by 3745 tonnes.
Nick Heath of Changeworks described the initiative as ”a shining example of how to succeed at a local level.”
WWF Scotland director and awards chairman Dr Richard Dixon said: ”From energy use to transport and food, the group have had great ideas and followed them through over the last two years.
”North Howe Transition Toun provide a superb example of how even a small community can start to get to grips with what climate change and high oil prices will bring.”
NHTT chairman Tom Morton, of Monimail, admitted news of the award was a welcome surprise.
He said: ”We were delighted to be chosen as finalists and are staggered to have won the award.”
He added: ”We only do things that local people believe will make their area a better place to live in and that they care enough about to give their time to help achieve.”
The CaRB project was backed by a grant of £114,361 from the climate challenge fund.