People interested in constructing a green home may find that local housebuilders and sustainable materials that require less transportation are more eco-friendly than mass-produced housing, an expert has asserted.

Brian Berry, director of external affairs for the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) claimed that the group's members are making an effort to use more local materials in an effort to make new builds more environmentally sustainable.

A government policy package introduced in 2006 has stated that by 2016, all new homes built in the UK must be zero-carbon.

Mr Berry added that most FMB members operate in "small pockets" of the UK at a time, cutting down on carbon emissions generated from travelling long distances.

"That to me is much more sustainable, because they're employing local people, not travelling huge distances and where possible using local building materials," he said.

He also claimed that new flat pack homes - unveiled for the first time in Gateshead last month - may be another option for people seeking green home alternatives, as they "can offer new innovations in building design and green technology".