In mid-October last year, an explosion and fire at a house in Bedford killed two pensioners.

The incident happened near to where a natural gas leak had occurred in July, after a borehole was drilled to install a heat pump.

Bedford Police want to speak with anyone who worked on the building of a bungalow behind the property.

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A plumbing firm from Hull has struck an investment deal with a local social housing charity.

Kesselmann Plumbers has invested a six-figure sum in Giroscope, a local organisation that buys and transforms empty properties using volunteers and then makes them available to people living in need.

The two organisations say the agreement is a direct response to gaps in private funding for social housing.

Martin Newman, CEO of Giroscope told the local paper that as traditional funding sources tighten, and demand for affordable housing rises, “we continually seek creative ways to fund new purchases and refurbishments.”

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Parkes Decorators has won a national award for its work on a barn conversation project near Wolverhampton.

The Dudley-based business won the New Build category at the Painting & Decorating Association’s annual Premier Trophy Awards.

Neil Ogilvie, chief executive of the trade body said the project was “a stellar example of best practice in the sector”.

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