THOUSANDS of housing association tenants are gearing up for the winter chill in a bid to beat the cold weather.

Elderly and vulnerable tenants of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), Cube Housing Association and Loretto Housing Association - all part of the Wheatley Housing Group - are set to benefit from a free inspection to make sure they are prepared for the cold months ahead.

The WinterReady campaign, now in its fourth year, includes a visit from a plumber, who will check resident's boiler, pipes and taps, as well as draught-proofing. A radiator reflector will be fitted to reduce heat loss, and tenants will also be shown how to turn their water off in case of an emergency.

As well as making sure their property is prepared, tenants will also get helpful tips on keeping their home warm, advice on cutting their fuel bills and how to book a free flu vaccination for themselves.

Last year, more than 4500 tenants benefited from the scheme, and even more checks are expected to be carried out this year.

Tenants who are over 80 can also qualify for a little extra help towards their fuel bill with a one-off payment of £100 through Glasgow City Council's Affordable Warmth Dividend.

The campaign comes as Transport minister Derek Mackay confirmed last month Scotland is preparing for the coldest winter for 50 years.

There will be a record number of snow ploughs and salt spreaders on the roads, as well as new equipment for airports and rail to help clear any snow.

Mr Mackay said a record number of people are using government information services, with more than 100,000 users now following the Traffic Scotland Twitter feed.

GHA tenant Peter Sutherland, 75, and wife Jemima, from Provanmill, have already signed up for a WinterReady home check. Peter said: “I signed up for a check because it’s important to make sure everything’s working, especially with the stock cock.

“I’ve never had any problems with the boiler, but I want to make sure it stays that way. We signed up for a check last year too. It’s a great thing. It gives you peace of mind.”

The campaign was officially launched by Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council.

He said: “Paying winter fuel bills is a real issue for a lot of people, and I applaud this initiative from GHA, Cube and Loretto to help tenants.

“Glasgow City Council will work with our partners whenever we can to tackle fuel poverty in the city, and this is a great example of what can be done.”

GHA tenants who would like a visit from a fuel adviser and plumber should contact their local housing officer, or phone the customer service department on 0800 479 7979. Cube tenants should phone 0800 027 3456, while Loretto tenants should call 0141 420 7950.