A Cumbrian town has been ranked as one of the least energy-efficient in the UK, according to fresh figures.

Only 27 per cent of homes in Barrow-in-Furness have attained an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B and C rating or above, Enviro Homes Renewables say.

The once thriving shipbuilding town ranks as the eighth least energy-efficient area in all of England.

The research used the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics to study the energy efficiency status of different areas.

While Barrow is in eighth place, there are four other areas in the north west – Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn and Blackpool – that made their way into the bottom ten of the list.

With a 62 per cent efficiency rating, Salford stands out as the most energy-efficient in the region and ranks the fourth most energy-efficient location in England.

The Isles of Scilly landed as the region with the lowest number of energy-efficient homes in England.

Director Of Enviro Homes Renewables, Ross Jones, said: “While there are many ways you can save money on energy for your home.

"Having a low energy efficiency rating can make this very difficult from the start, and costs will add up, and with the current cost of living this can be a serious problem.

"However, if you live in one of these areas, you can improve your EPC rating by installing insulation, changing your lighting, replacing your boiler, and more.”