BURY residents are being urged to sign up for an energy saving scheme which will give them a range of choices to slash their bills.

They can join a collective scheme that could mean massive reductions to the cost of heating their homes.

Everyone who registers an interest will be given a range of different options to save money, and residents could potentially save up to £250 a year by switching energy suppliers via the scheme.

This is the third energy bulk-buy scheme launched by all 10 Greater Manchester councils after major suppliers announced they were increasing their bills. People keen to save money are being asked to go online to betterenergydeals.org.uk or call 0800 988 2426.

Two similar energy switching schemes held last year led to 4,577 households across Greater Manchester cutting more than half a million pounds off their bills. Householders need to provide basic information, such as which gas and electricity suppliers they use and how much they pay a month, to register an interest.

The organisers will hold a “reverse auction” on March 4 in which energy suppliers will bid for their business by offering their best prices.

However, residents do not have to accept this offer and they will also be given a range of alternative offers based on how much energy they use.

Although the scheme will be targeted directly at people living in Greater Manchester, it will be open to anyone in the UK to join.

Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “We all know that times are hard and household budgets are under pressure.

“This scheme gives residents a real chance to save money on what are essentials, and I would urge people to take advantage of it — the more people who sign up, the better the deals will be available.”

n—Michelle Stott, an energy officer from Bury Council, will be in Bury Indoor Market tomorrow after-noon with representatives from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.