Mendip district councillor Barry O'Leary, from Evercreech, is urging residents to take part in an upcoming collective energy switch.

He said: "One of the biggest costs we all face is our home energy, while its vital for us all to keep warm, we all spend a considerable amount on energy.

"My mum was a great one for telling me to put another jumper on during chilly autumn evenings - no doubt she will have considered herself to been an early eco campaigner, or perhaps she was just cautious with her pennies.

"Locally, Mendip District Council is again running a collective energy switch - this is when consumers get together to negotiate a group deal, using a third party to negotiate a better tariff on behalf for the group through an auction process.

"Mendip District Council is backing the Big Community Switch, run by iChoosr Ltd, as one way of helping residents get a better deal on their energy bills.

"This is open to all, to help prevent people slipping into fuel poverty by making easier, more convenient to participate in energy switching."

How does it work?

Step 1: Visit www.bigcommunityswitch.com - and register your interest. If you know someone who doesn't have the internet, don't worry as up to five households can be registered on one email so those without Internet access will be supported through the registration process.

Step 3: A no-obligation offer is then sent to you and you have a month to choose whether to accept it. If you go ahead you are then switched to the new supplier and supported to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transfer.

Barry said: "As you know I like to do things differently, so while thinking of energy I'd like to highlight very worthwhile scheme called Surviving Winter.

"It began in 2010 right here in Somerset. The scheme encourages people to give their Winter Fuel Payment to help other, less well off local pensioners struggling with the cost of staying warm.

"These donations are used to pay for the everyday essentials that most of us take for granted, such as heating.

"If you want to switch your own energy supplier the Mendip supported collective energy scheme is now open until the auction on October 8."