People who live in Broadland and South Norfolk are being urged to follow the lead of hundreds of people in Norwich by switching electricity suppliers.

The two district councils, which cover areas such as Spixworth, Costessey, Thorpe St Andrew and Sprowston, are among five local authorities in Norfolk which have launched a new countywide energy switch scheme.

Council leaders say it could slash people's energy bills by up to £171 a year.

The joint initiative has been set up by Broadland District Council, South Norfolk Council, Breckland Council, North Norfolk District Council and West Norfolk Council.

The councils hope that by getting enough people signed up for the scheme, they can then go to an auction to bulk-buy energy and get people a cheaper deal.

The scheme will build on work which has already been done by Norwich City Council, which signed up almost 1,800 people for an auction in November last year.

The city council is currently running another phase of its own scheme and Bert Bremner, pictured, cabinet member for environmental strategy, said: 'In these austere financial times, any money which can be saved from the household budget is worthwhile, regardless of your income.'

The switch schemes come as Centrica, the owner of British Gas announced an 11pc rise in profits.

People can sign up to the schemes from tomorrow by visiting www.bigswitchandsave.co.uk and then clicking on the local authority which they are covered by.

People will need a recent energy bill. Anyone can sign up, but there is no obligation to go ahead.

Once the auction is completed everyone will be informed of how much they could save and if it turns out people are already on a lower tariff they do not have to swap.