An Oxfordshire woman has triumphed in a county-wide competition after cutting her home energy usage.

Woodstock resident, Maggy Beeton, reduced her gas and electricity usage by 14 per cent over the four-week contest.

It was set up by a local house-building company hoping to make homes more eco-friendly.

The company said their aim was to "try and save some pennies" for people.

Pye Homes ran the scheme to promote the energy-efficient houses at its Church Farm site.

More than 50 households across the county engaged in the challenge.

A prize worth more than £500 was offered to the contest winner as an incentive.

Maggy Beeton, the winning Woodstock competitor, said: “I grew up in post-war Britain during the 1950s/1960s.

"We had no central heating and I remember that our sitting room had a winter and summer layout, as our only source of heat was an open fire.

"Energy costs and caring for our planet were not particular issues at that time, but fast forward and we all became so used to warm houses and electrical machines, designed to save time and effort and without any thought of cause and effect.

“When I saw the energy challenge, I decided to see if I could improve on my current efforts - the tips and tricks provided reaffirmed what I was doing. 

"If there is one message to take away from this challenge, it is to encourage everyone to keep trying and to nurture our very fragile planet.”

Karis McMahon-Lane from Pye Homes said: "Huge congratulations to Maggy, our energy-saving champion.

"We know that energy consumption is a real concern for everyone, given the increasing rise of household bills and the cost of living.

"Our aim was to encourage people in the area to join us and take on a simple and fun challenge to be more eco-conscious, but also to discover new ways to try and save some pennies on their energy bills.

"We were so pleased to see so many families sign up; it’s an initiative we hope to develop even further and bring back every year."

For potential buyers looking to lessen their environmental impact, Pye Homes' Church Farm property.