More than 1,000 people in Norwich have signed up for a scheme which council bosses say will drive down household energy bills.

Norwich City Council last month launched its Big Switch and Save scheme, which aims to negotiate a group deal on fuel costs for registered households.

Four other British collective switching projects are set to join the council's group at the energy auction stage, which will swell the number of signs ups to more than 18,000.

The council says the larger the group involved in the auction, the better the bargaining power - and the better the chance of getting the lowest deal possible.

People have 11 days to sign up for the scheme, with a closing date of Sunday, November 25.

Once registration closes, there is a one-day auction during which the council's switching specialist partner will negotiate the best deal possible for the group and the other collectives.

All those who registered will then receive a personal offer informing them of the exact amount they stand to save and then they have four weeks to decide whether to make the final switch. There are no costs or obligations at any point.

To register online log on to www.norwich.gov.uk and click on the Norwich's Big Switch and Save logo. Householders without internet access are urged to use computers in local libraries or to sign up using a friend or family member's computer. Alternatively people can register 'offline' by contacting the city council on 0344 980 3333.