THE Switch it Off campaign, which starts today, urges residents, schools, families and workplaces across the county to do their bit for the environment and save some money at the same time.

The campaign, which is being backed by your Worcester News, urges people to turn off unwanted lights and electrical appliances left on standby.

A number of activities will be taking place throughout the week culminating in Worcester Cathedral swit-ching off its lights in a finale on Friday.

Many of those taking part in Switch it Off monitored their electrical output last week and their recordings will be compared with usage figures taken over the course of the coming days.

Central Networks will be monitoring electricity consumption during the week-long campaign.

Worcestershire County Council’s sustainability officer Liz Alston said: “Last year’s campaign was a real success and we are urging residents from across the county to join forces once again to make sure this year’s event is even better.

“By making the smallest of changes, people of all ages can do their bit to help to reduce electricity consumption and, most importantly, emissions of climate change causing greenhouse gasses.”

The county council’s chairman Councillor Alwyn Davies will be present at today’s official launch at Sixways along with some members of Worcester Warriors rugby team.

Coun Davies will also be at the finale alongside the Dean of Worcester at Worcester Cathedral on the official Switch it Off Day, Friday.

Last year, Worcestershire achieved a five per cent reduction in energy demand during the big finale from 4.30pm to 6.30pm compared to the previous day.

Those interested in finding out more information should contact the county council’s assistant sustainability officer Heather Lammas on 01905 766855 or visit worcestershire.gov.uk/ switchitoff CASE STUDY: THE Bate family in Worcester are hoping to cut their energy bills by taking part in this week’s Switch It Off campaign.

Nicola and Jody Bate, of Albay Terrace, off Upper Tything, will have their household appliances monitored for one week to see how much energy they use – which will then help them work out how to be less wasteful.

The couple, who have two children Elliott, aged two, and Harrison, one, explained why they decided to take part in the campaign.

“It will be interesting to see if there is anything we don’t do at the moment that can help,” said Mrs Bate, 37.

“We are already starting to be more careful in our home by turning lights off, those are obvious things, but it’s what we aren’t doing that I’m really interested in.

“The monitor will tell us how much money we are spending on each appliance, which will be interesting in itself, as well as once everything is switched off at night, what else we need to do, so it’s exciting to be taking part.“ Between January 2007 and July 2008 the couple’s electricity bill was £696.36 and their gas bill was £265.

“That is such a lot of money and anything we can do to reduce that and pay less would be good,” said Mrs Bate.

“We just have so much washing to do each day, and I must admit that the tendency is to just put it on to dry afterwards as it is a lot easier for us.

“The washing machine goes on once a day, but this sometimes can be two or three times as we have so much.

“We also use re-useable nappies which need to be washed.”

The family are also delaying turning on their central heating for the winter to save money, and are wearing more jumpers and clothes to keep warm.