MIDDLEWICH residents are being urged to beat the energy price rises by joining a campaign that aims to give people a better deal on their household energy bills.

With energy bills continually on the rise – and more people suffering fuel poverty – the ‘Collective Energy Switching’ campaign aims to help tackle the problem.

Households are being urged to sign up – for free – before April 8 and the more people who do, the better deal they will receive.

Cheshire East Council is hoping to smash its target of getting 7,000 households to sign up and the authority will hold an online auction on April 9, and the energy companies who make the lowest bid will win your custom.

But people are not obliged to commit at this stage.

Clr Jamie Macrae, cabinet member in charge of prosperity and economic regeneration, said: “This campaign is open to everyone and the more people we get to sign up, the bigger buying power we will have to drive down energy bills.

“Cheshire East Council is committed to helping people who are finding it increasingly hard to heat their homes during the harsh winters.

“Collective Energy Switching is an innovative scheme designed to place power in the hands of the consumer rather than power companies.

“It works by encouraging people to sign up to their local Collective Energy Switching scheme so that power companies can bid for their business during an on-line auction.

“The provider offering the best value will win the business and the more people who sign up to the scheme, the better buying power and lower prices we can get.

“Some people are afraid to switch and don’t know what is involved, but believe me this is very simple - and it’s free - and there’s support for those who are unsure. There’s no obligation to switch until you are completely confident.

“Everyone is feeling the effects of rising energy bills on their household budgets, so it makes sense.”

To sign up log on to energytogether.co.uk and fill out a short on-line application or call 0300 123 5035. As well as registering yourself you can register up to four other households.