Residents living in two historic villages owned by the National Trust (NT) are to attempt to reduce both their carbon dioxide emissions and energy bills as part of a community-led programme.

The initiative, which is similar to the government's Low Carbon Community Challenge, is designed to show how major energy efficiency improvements are achievable in homes of any age, not just modern buildings. The low carbon village pilot - supported by £600,000 funding from NT's energy partner, npower - is being trialled at the NT owned villages of Coleshill in Oxfordshire and the Wallington Estate in Northumberland.

In addition to funding the project, npower is also giving advice on effective energy saving solutions for tenants of the properties. The project involves 62 houses at Coleshill and 73 cottages and 14 farms at Wallington, with properties dating from the 1850s and 1750s respectively. Through community engagement, each village will decide what measures to take to reduce their carbon footprints, with the added incentive of making savings to their energy bills.