North Yorkshire residents are being given the opportunity to take part in a group buying scheme to help them get better value for money on their energy bills.

The scheme, called the Big Community Switch, is a collaboration between North Yorkshire Council and iChoosr.

iChoosr organises energy group buying schemes with community leaders, such as councils, and operates in the Netherlands and Belgium as well as in the UK.

Suppliers compete for the opportunity to offer households the lowest energy tariff, with all registrants receiving a "personal offer."

North Yorkshire Council executive member for housing, Councillor Simon Myers, said: "We understand that switching energy suppliers can be a daunting task, and some customers have expressed concerns about the market conditions and the lack of cheaper deals available.

"In the past, the offer has only been available in the Scarborough area and the former Ryedale district, so we are delighted it has now been extended to the remainder of North Yorkshire."

The UK country manager at iChoosr, George Frost, said: "Now is the perfect time for residents to take action, with the scheme providing access to the cheapest energy tariff on the market for a 12-month fixed rate."

More information on the Big Community Switch is available at www.northyorks.gov.uk/EnergySwitching