THE option of making homes more efficient, eco friendly, warmer and cheaper is easier than people think – that’s the message transition town Bridport wants to get across this weekend.

There will be 12 homeowners who can prove this when they share how they have done just that.

It is the first time such an event has been held in Bridport.

The eco homes area will be open to visitors over this weekend to show that going green does not have to happen on a new-build – or even an owner-occupied home.

The idea of the open days is to demonstrate how homes can be more comfortable, cheaper to run, and greener at the same time, say organisers from Transition Town Bridport.

The homes range from a mid-18th century listed building to new homes or rented accommodation. Some have been built on their own country plots, others are in ordinary town residential streets.

What they all share, said Sam Wilberforce of Transition Town Bridport, is the finding of solutions to reducing energy bills.

He said: “I find the range of solutions to saving energy quite awe-inspiring.

“From simple changes and cheap installations to extensive lifestyle choices and low-carbon building, there is something for everyone here.”

John and Anna Butler used straw bales to upgrade and extend their 1960s brick bungalow in Claremont Road.

Mr Butler said: “It is nice to make people more aware of what options are out there, that you can live more sustainably and still very comfortably.

“I think sometimes people think low energy living has to be very basic and not so comfortable but very easily you can have a very low impact and still live in a nice house and be very comfortable.”

Malcolm and Jude Drew have worked hard in the last five years to make their South Lawns home greener.

Mr Drew said: “When we bought our detached urban chalet-style house, built in the seventies, we were shocked by the lack of insulation built into the house.”

Now they have rectified that and fitted solar panels, they rely solely on a woodburner.

The couple are looking forward to giving advice and sharing their experiences.

There are homes to see in Dibdin View, South Lawns, Lake Lane, Westown, Shipton Gorge, Puncknowle, West Bexington, Broadwindsor, Wootton Fitzpaine, Maiden Newton and some in Dorchester, Upwey and Cheselbourne.

Details about the eco homes can be found on the TTB website at transitiontownbridport.co.uk, in the Dorset Architectural Heritage Week booklet and in an open eco homes brochure, available from tourist information centres, Bridport Arts Centre, the library and council offices.