A NEW project is being launched in Craven to help residents reduce their impact on the environment and cut their household bills.

The Craven Local Strategic Partnership has teamed up with the environmental charity Global Action Plan to create 20 ‘EcoTeams’ - groups of six to eight people who meet to make simple, effective changes for a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Now the organisers are looking for team leaders, who will be able to run monthly meetings and encourage members to share ideas on shopping ethically, saving resources, saving energy and travelling wisely.

Free training will be offered for the leaders, who will also get a free compost bin, water butt or household recycling bin.

Climate change development officer Becki Tighe said: "The people we are looking to become team leaders are not necessarily very environmentally friendly right now but are interested in learning more about climate change and ways of combating it on a small scale. They will also be interested in doing something practical on a day-to-day basis to reduce their own carbon footprint.”

She added that teams elsewhere in the UK had reduced energy consumption by 21 per cent, electricity by seven per cent and rubbish by 20 per cent - as well as cutting household bills by around £170 per year.

Anyone interested in finding out more can do so by calling Ms Tighe on 01756-751610 or emailing becki.tighe@yorkshiredales.org.uk.