Drive on energy is up for top gong

A campaign aimed at encouraging people in Worcestershire to switch off unused appliances has been shortlisted for a national award.

The annual Switch It Off campaign, run jointly by the Act on Energy and Worcestershire County Council, has made it through to the finals of the prestigious National Energy Efficiency Awards.

A ceremony is due to take place at London's Globe Theatre on December 2 when the winners will be announced. The awards, run by the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development, are aimed at recognising the best campaigns towards encouraging sustainable living.

Officials claim that leaving a television on standby can cost up to £22 per set, a computer monitor could waste about £18 a year if not switched off and leaving the electrical contents of a teenager's room on standby could amount to a staggering £82 a year.

The week-long Switch It Off campaign, which took place in October this year, has been growing in popularity since its launch two years ago.

David Julien, chief executive for Act on Energy, said: "The aim of the week was to highlight just how much energy in our homes, places of work and schools is completely wasted."