BUSINESSES are being urged to take advantage of a bright idea that could save them thousands of pounds and make York a greener city.

PlanetYork campaigners are offering grants of up to £6,000 to companies switching from standard to energy-efficient lighting.

The LightSwitch programme has been made available to small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than £25 million.

Laura Collins, PlanetYork's campaign manager, said: "This is good news for local companies and for the environment.

"Since the introduction of the Climate Change Levy last April, non-domestic energy bills have increased by over ten per cent. That's a lot of money for many small businesses who spend approximately 30 per cent of their electricity bill on lighting."

LightSwitch is supported by the Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust.

It aims to promote the use of energy efficient lighting in the non-domestic sector.

PlanetYork is a year-long campaign to make York the most energy-efficient city in the UK.

More information about LightSwitch is available on 08705 133538.

Updated: 15:51 Tuesday, January 29, 2002