HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to be more efficient by switching to a free energy-saving scheme.

Over the next two months, about 18,000 energy efficient lightbulbs are being given to people in the Ryedale area.

Altogether they are worth more than £100,000 and at today's electricity prices, the total amount of energy that can be saved is more than £250,000 every year.

The scheme is aimed primarily at customers in receipt of benefits, but everyone in Ryedale is eligible.

Energy saving bulbs use one-fifth the energy of standard 100-watt bulbs, and can last up to ten times longer.

The bulbs can be collected at Ryedale House in Malton, or at any of council's offices in Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering.

Help the Aged is also participating in the scheme and lightbulbs are available at their shops in Ryedale's four market towns.

Ryedale's energy conservation officer Nick Coakley said: "Not only will they save people money on their electricity bills, but the bulbs last for so long that elderly and disabled people will hardly ever need to change them, a benefit that is often overlooked.

"People increasingly realise that the price we pay for our electricity is not just what we see on our bills - there is an extra cost in the impact that emissions from power stations have on our atmosphere.

"These emissions, mostly of carbon dioxide, are the main cause of global warming.

"As a result of this scheme, carbon dioxide emissions from energy use in Ryedale will be cut by about 2000 tonnes every year.