HOUSEHOLDS in Ascot could save more than £200 on their energy bills thanks to a new price comparison scheme being introduced by the Royal Borough.

The Energy Switch to Save initiative helps consumers to find the best provider by using collective buying power.

It works by creating a reverse auction for energy companies, which bid for customers by offering their lowest price.

At the end of the auction residents are told the best deal and are given the option to choose or refuse.

Previous versions of the programme have seen households save an average of £257 each.

Cllr David Coppinger, cabinet member for sustainability, urged Ascot residents who believed they were overspending on bills to sign up straight away.

He said: “It can often be a confusing and stressful exercise trying to find the best deal when it comes to our energy bills.

“By signing up to the Royal Borough’s Energy Switch to Save scheme we can remove that hassle and use residents’ collective buying power to get them a better deal."

The council cannot guarantee that offers will be the cheapest on the market, but its model aims to ensure most people will be offered lower annual energy bills than they are on currently or are otherwise available.

The scheme is completely free and there is no obligation to switch energy provider.

Anyone interested must sign up by Thursday October 10 and will receive a response from Monday October 24.

For more information go to www3.rbwm.gov.uk/energyswitchtosave