COMPANIES in Brentwood looking to make energy-saving purchases can get up to £8,000 towards their outlay thanks to a newly-expanded scheme from Anglia Ruskin University.

The Low Carbon KEEP programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and managed by Anglia Ruskin, will hand out capital grants to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the East of England for efficiency purchases.

The scheme provides 40 per cent of the cost of items such as low-energy lighting, 3D printers, more efficient machinery and cutting edge software and design tools.

Purchases made through the Capital Grant Scheme may include more than one item, but the total outlay must be between £2,500 and £20,000 (excluding VAT) – previously, eligible products had a maximum cost of £10,000.

Carole Randall, Low Carbon KEEP Programme Manager, said: "Our aim is that by doubling our capital grant, from £4k to £8k, we will attract the attention of businesses on the cusp of making major changes and therefore enable them to achieve those changes in a sustainable manner."

For more information about the Low Carbon KEEP programme, call 0845 196 4310, visit www.anglia.ac.uk/lowcarbon or e-mail lowcarbon@anglia.ac.uk.