SCHOOLchildren across Swindon are being recruited in a battle to warm up homes across the town.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust says thousands of households across Swindon are in fuel poverty - where 10 per cent or more of income goes on home heating.

So now it is working with children in schools across town to hammer home the energy efficiency message and hopefully cut the number of sick days youngsters have to take.

"Cold homes can have a tremendous impact on the school life of children," said Lucy Rees, the trust's Swindon energy project officer.

"They will be forced to take days off sick through cold-related illnesses.

"If they cannot find a warm place to do homework, they may avoid the consequences by skipping school.

"And they could be unwilling to invite friends home if the house is cold and damp, so they miss out on a social life.

"It's quite simple - if you spend 10 per cent of your income on heating your home, you are spending too much and you may be able to get a special tariff from your fuel supplier.

"Most people spend about three per cent of their income."

The trust is going into schools to run special assemblies on climate change, energy efficiency and how cutting energy use at home will help families cope with heating bills.

The trust has also recruited 18-year-old single mum Lucy Rowe and her two-year-old son Sebastian.

After the assemblies, the children are given letters for their parents explaining how to access home energy saving advice and with contact details for the Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre.

So far the roadshow has visited Penhill, Holy Rood, Goddard Park primary schools.

Christine Inskip, headteacher of Holy Rood Primary School, said: "When families have to spend a large proportion of their income on energy it inevitably means that there is less for other important commodities, especially food.

"Children need nutritional food especially for breakfast in order for them to be ready to learn when they come to school."

Lucy Rees said: "I've got loads of tips that help me as a young mum. One is that I make sure I have a full load of laundry before I put the washing machine on and I wash at 40 degrees so I don't use so much energy."

For more information about the project call 01793 463679 or email lucyr@wiltshire wildlife.org. For the energy centre call 0800 512012.