RESIDENTS in a sheltered housing complex in Batchley are looking forward to a cosy winter now the council is updating the heating systems.

Redditch Council is set to upgrade Pitcher Oak Cottages after earning funding from British Gas.

The cottages will be getting new boilers and electric fires to replace the old gas fires.

When work is done this month the heating efficiency levels will be raised from 70 to 90 per cent.

Resident Trevor Heath, who was dreading this winter, said: "I am over the moon. Last year my heating bill was very expensive and I have been worrying about how I was going to afford to keep myself warm, but now things are looking better."