Heating your home with biomass units is now viable and could be cheaper than using fossil fuels, according to the Forestry Commission.

The Scottish Forestry Commission has recently appointed biomass development officers throughout the country, to encourage individuals and businesses to take advantage of improvements in the wood-burning technology.

The advancement of the wood-fuelled installations means that the biomass units can now be up to 92 per cent efficient - significantly reducing a household's CO2 emissions.

Ian Cowe, who is responsible for providing support to people in the north-east, said: "With the increases in oil and gas prices, biomass is now competitive with most other forms of domestic heating.

"More and more businesses and community groups are contacting me looking for advice."

Biomass, which refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel, has also been mooted as an energy supply for schools trying to reduce their carbon footprint.