Community interest company Wessex Resolutions, based at Bradford-on-Tone, has lent £1.645 million to homeowners in a year.

It worked with councils across the South-West to provide ‘sensible lending to those in need’ for essential repairs and improvements.

Wessex Resolutions loans are designed for existing homeowners, first-time buyers, park homeowners, landlords and individuals trying to bring back empty properties into use.

The not-for-profit social enterprise beat its target of lending £1.5 million in the year to April and borrowers ranged in age from 22 to 89.

Boiler purchases are the most popular reason for people to take out a loan, followed by roof repairs or insulation.

One borrower from Wellington used a loan to install the first-ever insulation in the roof space of her 115-year-old lath and plaster property. She said: “I feel very relieved now I have been able to have the work done after eight years living in the house.

“Already it is considerably warmer than previous winters. I’m expecting to save on energy bills right away. I feel so thankful I’ve got the loan and been able to have the work done with no stress and worry about money.”

Wessex Resolutions chief executive Emma Lower said: “I want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to all 18 of our council partners across the West of England and the South West for enabling their funds to be used in this way.

“It’s a really unique model where we absolutely put our clients first and find a solution to their needs, as we’re a social enterprise, we put people before profit.

“But most of all, thank you to everyone who has borrowed from Wessex Resolutions and chosen and trusted us to help them improve their homes, particularly accessing our services remotely as we continue to operate and serve our clients through means of remote working since the end of March.”