HUNDREDS of households have signed up to take part in a collective bargaining scheme that could see their energy bills lowered.

Some of the 470 households that signed up Darlington’s Big Community Switch could save an average of £252 on their gas and electricity bills.

The Darlington initiative was combined with others across the UK to create a collective of more than 36,000 households from 55 local authorities. Energy companies take part in an auction to supply the properties that have signed up, with each household receiving a personalised offer of a tariff for their gas and electricity.

Those who took part in the initiative will be receiving letters or emails with their offers in the coming days and have until March 31 to decide whether to accept them.

Darlington Borough Council is considering whether to join further switching rounds for households that missed out this time.

To register your interest visit darlington.gov.uk/bigcommunityswitch and follow the links.