YORK residents can team up to reduce their energy bills when a money-saving project relaunches on Tuesday.

The Save Money by Switching Energy campaign, run by City of York Council, started last year and hundreds of people switched gas and electric tariffs with the help of energy switching experts iChoosr.

The campaign is supported by York Citizens Advice Bureau and Age UK York and registration is free from Tuesday.

Once registered, energy companies will provide their best prices to everyone who has registered an interest. Residents will be shown how much they could save, and can then accept or decline the officer, with no hidden charges.

George Vickers, chief executive of York CAB, said: “A lot of people are coming to the CAB for advice because they’re struggling to pay all their bills.

"It’s really important that people get the best deal and shop around for their fuel. The switching scheme is one of the great ways York residents can benefit from finding a cheaper energy tariff which in turn will now help them to cut the cost of their monthly outgoings and save money.”

James Player, from Age UK York, said: “Energy bills are amongst the biggest and most worrying that any of us have deal with every year.

“We really hope many more people will have lower fuel bills thanks to this scheme and thus be able to keep warmer and healthier during the winter.”

Councillor Dave Merrett, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “This Energy Switch scheme is about us locally helping our residents get the best possible deal on their energy bills. Hundreds of resident’s saved big money last year – with up to £169 a year - and we’re hoping to do the same again this year.”

Last year, more than 36,000 people registered nationally, including 751 in York. The 242 in York who switched saved an average of £169 a year.

To find out more or to register go to york.gov.uk/switchingenergy or phone 01904 551550. You need a recent energy bill to complete the process.