A project helping families on the poverty line get cheaper energy prices has saved them £107,000 in its first year in London’s deprived East End.

The Limehouse Project was set up to alleviate poverty with its energy advice programme to help save on gas and electric bills in the home.

It helps track energy costs, maximise household incomes and shows how to be self-sufficient in energy savings, with 340 “at risk” families benefiting in its first 12 months.

“The 340 families we helped is well above our target,” Limehouse Project director Farida Yesmin said. “This project is effective for lone parents, those on low incomes or those with long-term health problems.”

Its Switching Off Poverty advice programme has been set up with a grant from ScottishPower Energy People Trust.

The trust’s Ann Loughrey said: “The Limehouse Project does incredible work to help vulnerable households and support families with young children by providing specialist financial and energy advice.”

The project has helped save £106,653 so far, through unclaimed benefits at £48,000, fuel debt assistance at £37,631 and energy efficiency measures projected at £20,785.