A “GUARDIAN ANGEL” council worker has been recognised for her efforts in helping warm up Bracknell residents’ homes.

Hazel Hill, sustainable energy officer at Bracknell Forest Council, has been named as a ‘heat hero’ by charity National Energy Action (NEA) after securing grants worth almost £2m for the improvement of heating at homes in Warfield Park.

After accepting her award, she told Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’m thrilled to have been named as a heat hero for my work helping to install mains gas to Warfield Park, after the residents were identified as being at very high risk of fuel poverty.

“As well as helping vulnerable elderly residents who were suffering from cold, damp homes, the change to mains gas is saving residents an average of 50 per cent of their current heating costs.

“I’m delighted that the residents of Warfield Park can now enjoy warmer, cheaper heating in their homes.”

Her work has seen the council secure £500,000 for the replacement of more than 100 boilers at Warfield Park homes.

A further £1.4m was granted to the council for the installation of natural gas at Warfield Park following a consultation in which residents stated they preferred natural gas to other solutions.

One of the residents at Warfield Park said Hazel was “the guardian angel sent to look after us” after her work at the park.

Hazel is also the Chair of the Association of Local Energy Officers in the South East and has been a key figure in lobbying government policy to include park homes in energy efficiency schemes.

A number of winners were selected from across the country from non-profit organisations, local authorities and voluntary groups.

Maria Wardrobe, Director of Communications and External Relations at National Energy Action commented: “Each year I am bowled over by the passion and tenacity that our Heat Heroes demonstrate, always going above and beyond what is expected of them in their job or as unpaid volunteers.

“It was a delight to meet them and be able to say well done and thank you on behalf of those they help.”

Hazel was named a heat hero at an awards ceremony held in partnership between the NEA and Vaillant at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, January 23.