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HEMP homes could be the houses of the future, after promising research from the green project was made public.

The Haverhill scheme is the first of its kind in the country, with two homes built using specially-processed hemp, not -- designers stressed -- of the same kind used to produce cannabis.

Since the first tenants moved into the homes at Teasel Close last December and in March this year, monitoring has continued to compare them.

The publication of the findings coincides with indications Tony Blair wants to see a million green homes built in Britain in the next decade, with tax incentives and penalties used to encourage this.

Appearing at the launch was Jessee Mulcock, who moved into one of the hemp homes with her son Vini in March.

She moved out of a chilly flat in the town and is looking forward to a cosy winter in her new home.

"It is pretty much like any other house except that it does stay warmer, which is nice as my flat was cold. I have only had the summer months so far, but I have noticed that it gets hot. Also I don't hear my neighbours at all and they don't hear me.

"A lot of people have stopped their cars to have a look. It is definitely a bit different, like me, and I hope it will catch on.

"If it is good for the environment it has got to be good."

The hemp homes were built as part of a £1.5 million 18-unit social housing development by the Suffolk Housing Society at Park Road, Haverhill, with a £675,000 social housing grant provided by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

Inspiration for the homes came from architect Ralph Carpenter of Bury St Edmunds, who had seen hemp used in France. "The houses have a terrific natural feel to them. Because the hemp and lime mixture breathes there is no condensation and they are warmer to the touch.

"People instinctively find them cosier," Mr Carpenter said.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) used sophisticated monitoring equipment to study different aspects of the properties such as insulation, energy efficiency, sound-proofing and resistance to water.

The main finding of the research was that the hemp homes were equally as durable and warm as conventional homes, with the advantage of using renewable materials that are recyclable and involved low energy use in their production.

Although the building cost was roughly 10 per cent higher, it was hoped this could be reduced in future by Government measures and economies of scale.

Tim Yates of BRE said the homes would continue to be monitored until next February.

Steve Clarke, chief executive of Suffolk Housing Society, said he felt the hemp homes had a great long-term future.

"At the moment it comes down to what the building industry regards as being the most important factor when it comes to deciding future construction methods, financial cost or environmental cost," he said.