Patio heaters: the eco-enemy in your back garden

Soaring sales are turning the normally peaceful green lobby an angry shade of red. 'It is hard to imagine a device that inflicts more gratuitous damage on the environment,' said Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper last year after Elliot Morley, the environment minister, branded patio heaters a 'real luxury', adding that 'at a time when we're struggling to combat climate change there has to be a question as to whether we really need things that heat up the outdoors'.

Patio heaters are expensive, inefficient and ugly. And potentially dangerous. As a tall person, I am terrified to stand near one in case I accidentally barbecue my head. And if they're as stable as everyone claims why are the hoods covering the flickering flames always so battered and dented? It's a Casualty episode waiting to happen.

Of course, some newer models are more efficient. Some as much as 30 per cent. Which means they're still 70 per cent inefficient. If you have sufficient space, understanding neighbours and a burning need to burn something, just go for a real fire.

The Brazier 600 fire pit would warm a small patio and costs just £54.99 from www.rawgarden.co.uk. If you have children or pets go for the slightly safer model on www.gonegardening.co.uk. At £84.99 it comes complete with a spark guard, ash collector and a hinged grill so you can cook on it too. Burning wood is no better than burning gas - unless you use 'good wood'. If you have no trees to scavenge from buy BioRegional firewood.

BioRegional firewood comes from hardwoods rather than softwoods. Hardwoods smoke less, give more heat, burn longer and are easier to light. Every twig is Forest Stewardship Council certified so you know it's not from illegal, unregulated forests and it travels just a few short miles to your garden.

Of course, you could always throw on a cardigan and get on with it. Only fair-weather friends will refuse to shiver into the evening with you.

To find the location of your nearest local BioRegional Firewood stockist ring 020 8404 2300 or visit www.bioregional.com.

Fire pits & braziers available from:
www.rawgarden.co.uk
www.gonegardening.co.uk