A programme spearheading London’s fight against climate change has been launched in Mitcham.

The Wandle Valley, taking in 950 homes in the Phipps Bridge and Cherry Street estates, was declared a low-carbon zone by the Mayor of London.

Householders in the zone can trial energy and cash-saving initiatives designed to help the capital become the world’s most environmentally-friendly city.

A £275,000 grant has been awarded for the two-year project, that was launched last Saturday with a party at the South Mitcham Community Hall.

Tom Walsh from Sustainable Merton, who helped put together the successful bid for the area’s low-carbon status, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to work with people and find out their ideas about how we can make environmental improvements and to see what a community can achieve.”

The corner of Mitcham is just one of 10 areas in London included in the project.

Green “doctors” will visit homes to dispense advice and new technologies that will help households save money and become increasingly energy-efficient.

By the end of the two years, Merton Council, Sustainable Merton and Groundwork Merton hope to have slashed carbon emissions from nearly 1,000 homes by 20 per cent, potentially reducing the average energy bill by hundreds of pounds.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I’m delighted residents of the Wandle Valley will benefit from their very own green doctors. The low carbon zones were designed to help people to go green with minimal hassle and these low carbon advice surgeries do just that.”

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environment and leisure services, Councillor David Simpson, added: “This zone will serve as a great example for the rest of us to follow and I'm looking forward to seeing how such a practical and hands-on initiative evolve over the years to come.”

Find out more at merton.gov.uk/wvlcz