Environment Minister receives a warm welcome in County Durham

06/03/2008

Environment Minister Phil Woolas will be in the North East tomorrow (Friday 7 March) to find out how the region is adapting and dealing with climate change.

The minister will be talking to youngsters from Framwellgate School and Framwellgate Moor Primary School along with Northumbrian Water’s newly appointed Climate Change Manager David Chapman who will be outlining how work is progressing on the new North East weather radar, being installed by Northumbrian Water, Environment Agency and the Met Office and the company’s GLOBE programme which is encouraging local schoolchildren to get involved.

The minister will also be finding out how the Defra-funded Warm Front scheme, which is managed by eaga, is helping tackle fuel poverty in East Durham through the use of energy efficiency measures. He will be meeting residents who have benefited from the scheme as well as representatives from eaga and District of Easington Council. And will be launching the council’s Climate Change Strategy.

You are invited to send a reporter/photographer/camera crew on Friday, 7 March 2008, as follows:

• Time: 11.00
• Venue: Science Learning Centre North East, Front Street, Pity Me, County Durham

AND

• Time: 14.00
• Venue: District of Easington Council offices, Seaside Lane, Easington.
County Durham

AND

• Time:  14.30
• Venue:  40 Cook Grove, Peterlee – home of Mrs Kay Crooks

Phil Woolas will be available for interview. Contact Karen Bell, GNN North East on 0191 202 3603 or 07714 520 866.

Issued on behalf of Defra by Karen Bell, GNN North East.  TEL: 0191 202 3603.  EMAIL: karen.bell@gnn.gsi.gov.uk