RESIDENTS are being urged to sign up to a new initiative designed to cut down their energy bills.

Registration for the Big Community Switch is open and Stockton Borough Council want as many people as possible to sign up before Monday, October 12 before an auction the following day.

Over the previous three auctions, which have seen the council work in partnership with delivery partners (CORR) iChoosr and Make It Cheaper, residents have collectively saved over £61,000 on their gas and electricity bills, with an average saving of just over £147 per household.

Billingham resident Kevin Pitt has previously benefitted as a resident from the scheme to the tune of nearly £250.

He said: “I signed up for the Big Community Switch auction last year and was surprised at just how easy it was.

“The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for people to see if they could save money on their energy bills alongside reducing energy waste and greenhouse gases.”

For full information on the Big Community Switch visit stockton.gov.uk/bigcommunityswitch

Residents in need of support to help them register can contact the Stockton & District Advice and Information Service at 1 Bridge Road, Stockton, TS18 1BH, which is open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm or call 01642-615834.

Residents should have an annual energy statement or recent gas and electricity bill to hand when registering.