Grants of up to £1,000 will be available for small and medium firms to pay towards training to help take advantage of new green contracts.

Harrow Borough Council is offering up to 100 businesses in the borough money to pay for green deal installation training.

The council hopes the official certification will give firms an advantage when tendering for energy efficient installations around Harrow.

Firms interested in the funding will be able to find out more at a launch event next week as part of the government’s green deal scheme.

Harrow Council's head of economic development Mark Billington said: “I’m really pleased that we can offer a grant to support small and medium sized enterprises in the construction sector to become authorised green deal installers.

“Once certified, installers can access contract opportunities in this sector both in Harrow and externally.

“In addition they will be able to identify themselves as green deal installers and use the green deal quality mark.”

The green deal offers people offers grants and loans towards the instillation of technologies such as solar panels and installation.

The council hopes more businesses in the borough will be able to benefit as owners choose to maintain their properties in an eco-friendly way.