YORK residents are being urged to sign up to the 'Big Community Energy Switch' by a deadline of next Monday if they want to save money on their gas and electricity bills.

City of York Council says the switch could help people make savings of £169 - the average amount saved when 751 York residents signed up last winter as the authority and iChoosr held their first scheme.

The Switch enables residents to register through four easy steps. "Registration is easy - you just need a recent fuel bill or annual statement," said a spokeswoman.

"The council’s switching partner iChoosr then gathers everyone's registrations together and invites all the energy companies to offer their best prices. This is all done by iChoosr. You don’t need to do anything.

"The cheapest tariffs win. Residents will receive details on the new tariff secured by the scheme from February 16. It will tell them how much money they could potentially save if they accept. Residents have until March 16 to decide to accept the offer or not. "

To find out more or to register, go to www.york.gov.uk/switchingenergy. Residents without online access can visit the council’s customer service centre at West Offices or call 01904 551550.