TENS of thousands of homes across Merseyside will be offered a “green makeover” – and the chance to slash their heating bills – by pioneering Britain’s war on global warming.

The properties will be among the first in the country to be made properly energy efficient, as will those in pockets of Halton, Warrington and Ellesmere Port and Neston

The £350m scheme – which is being compared to the 1960s drive to convert homes to gas central heating – will see energy companies go door-to-door to assess how each home is wasting precious energy.

The householders will then be offered a range of improvements potentially costing up to £10,000, but with the full cost met by a levy on the energy firms.

The measures could include:

Loft insulation – costs £500, but saves up to £150 off an annual heating bill.

Cavity wall insulation – costs £200-£500, saves about £160.

Solid wall insulation –costs £5,600, saves around £500.

Ground source heat pump – costs £6,000, saves £300-£1,000.

Air source heat pump – costs £7,000-£10,000, saves £300-£850.