Woodburners are not being banned - here’s the truth behind the headlines.

The truth is that our air is now cleaner in the UK than at any point since the Industrial Revolution, and the government has no plans to ban wood-burning stoves.

Big towns and cities already suffer from pollution from cars and lorries, so quite rightly some local authorities are starting to properly enforce the regulations in smokeless zones. This means that wood cannot be burnt in open fires or in stoves that haven’t been shown to produce very low emissions.

Many modern stoves, however, burn so cleanly that they are labelled DEFRA Exempt and, because of these exceptionally low emissions, are permitted to be used even in smokeless zones.

It’s worth remembering that:

• If you are replacing an existing fireplace with a modern stove, you will reduce your emissions by as much as 90%.

• If you are replacing an old stove with a modern stove, you will reduce your emissions by up to 60%.

• If your existing heating is gas or oil, any heating done by a woodburner will mean a significant reduction in your carbon footprint.

• It will also mean a significant reduction in your heating bills.

• Fitting a wood-pellet stove will see an even bigger drop in your conventional heating bills, and even lower emissions than a wood-burner.

Lower emissions, lower heating bills and lower greenhouse gases - good for the environment and good for your pocket.