A new initiative to help Honiton and Ottery in fuel poverty has been launched.

The East Devon Log Bank scheme, the first of its kind in Devon, has been created by Devon Forestry group Axewoods, and stores and donates logs harvested by volunteers from woodland areas that require and benefit from maintenance.

It was launched by Devon county councillor Claire Wright at Knapp Copse Nature Reserve, near Honiton.

She said: “I am proud to be involved with this wonderfully thoughtful initiative.

“It combines the sustainable management of local woodlands, with supporting people who are struggling to afford to heat their homes, sadly, a problem becoming more common.”

It is intended to start log donations with a pilot project in Honiton and Ottery, with first contact for logs through local food banks and referral systems.

Alan Dyer, chair of the group, said: “This scheme allows us to benefit both woodland areas that need management and help people who don’t always have the cash to buy fuel for their fire or log burner.”