A FRESH chance for Colchester residents to save £200 a year from their heating bills has been launched.

The third Colchester Big Community Switch, which allows people to check if their current provider is offering the best price or if they can switch for a better deal, began today.

The 400 residents who switched after the last event, in February, are now paying on average £211 less for their home energy bill over the next year.

Nationwide, 36,200 households registered an interest in the scheme and those who took part will save more than £1.5 million on their gas and electricity costs.

Tim Young, councillor responsible for the project, said: ”Colchester’s Big Community Switch really has become a great way for residents to make easy and significant savings on their fuel bill. I urge everyone to take 10 minutes to complete the free, no obligation online registration, and help friends without an email address or computer to do so too.

“Savings of over £1.5 million could well be on offer again at the June auction so what Colchester resident wouldn’t want to share in this and potentially save themselves over £200 hassle free.”

Although the scheme is online only, internet users can register up to five households on one email address.

An information line - 01206 507555 - also offers step-by-step advice, while self-serve computers are at Colchester’s libraries and the Colchester Learning Shop runs basic IT courses.

Those registering will find out if they can make savings through an email from iChoosr shortly after the national auction.

Visit colchester.gov.uk/bigcommunityswitch to sign up.