MORE than £4m worth of energy will be wasted in the North-East this week if householders do not take immediate action, it was forecast last night.

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) issued the statistic to highlight how people do not believe their gas and electric usage is harming the environment or their pocket.

The EST is calling on the Government to lower VAT on energy-efficient products to make them more affordable and help cut carbon dioxide emissions.

It said the region would save £65,340 each week if everyone installed one energy-efficient lightbulb, and more than £600,000 if the thermostat in every household was turned down by one degree.

A collective saving of almost £45,000 a week would be made if everyone filled their kettle only as required, and more than £10,000 would be saved if unnecessary lights were turned off.