SPENDING a penny at Harrogate's conference centre will save council taxpayers' cash.

Water controls installed in the centre's public toilets have reduced water consumption by more than 20 per cent, saving Harrogate Borough Council £5,000 each year.

The council's deputy leader, Councillor Margaret-Ann de Courcey-Bailey, said energy consumption levels had been tackled in a number of ways, including effective energy auditing and monitoring.

"I want to thank the council's staff for introducing new and innovative systems, which have contributed to even greater savings," she said.