Hundreds of customers who claim they were mis-sold Green Deal improvements are now optimistic after a couple had their money refunded.

Home Energy Lifestyle Management (HELMS) completed more than 3000 Green Deals, but after the firm was fined £200,000 for cold calling it went into liquidation.

The promise of the Green Deal was to save electricity but residents found their bills rising instead, with some people now locked into 25-year finance deals.

A Lanarkshire couple had their money refunded after winning a three year battle to have their Green Deal discarded.

The pair went directly to the secretary for business, energy and industrial strategy, Greg Clark, in a bid to get help.

However, a week before he was due to give his final decision on the matter, the Green Deal finance company cancelled the contract and gave their money back.

Campaigners say this is a hugely significant development.

MSP Clare Haughey said: "I see this as a watershed moment - the Green Deal finance company refunding the money is a great victory for those customers.

"But I want them to look at other customers who have been sold Green Deal products in similar circumstances and not put them through the same hoops that this couple have had to jump through."