FAMILIES across Stroud are taking part in a European-wide challenge to cut both their household carbon emissions and costs.

Energy Neighbourhoods, which runs for six months, aims to help residents save resources by changing their habits and technology around the house.

Two teams, each of about 12 volunteers, are competing against homes across Gloucestershire and Europe to become the most energy-efficient.

Among the participants are Hellen Doyle and Rob Rippon, of Slad Road, with their children Hazel, 11, Felix and Ruby, both nine, and Hugo, three.

"We wanted to take part because it’s good for the environment and it’s good for your bank balance as well," said Hellen. "It will mean turning everything off if we’re not actually using it rather than having it on standby.

"It’s about getting the kids to turn off the lights and it’s also about things like closing the curtains as soon as it gets dark to keep the heat in."

Hellen, who also plans to fit draft excluders under the door of the Victorian house, is confident the Stroud teams will do well.

"I would have thought Stroud would do fairly well because it is one of the greener placer in the county," she said.

The challenge started on Saturday, November 1 when members of the Slad Road Team and the Top of the Town Team provided gas and electricity meter readings.

Families were each given two energy efficient light bulbs, an eco -kettle and an automatic power-down plug for the computer.

Two energy experts will visit homes during the challenge to give advice and families will meet regularly to share tips.

Their progress will be updated on a website and compared to teans across Europe.

Local organiser Dave Cockcroft, chairman of the town council’s energy working group, said he hoped the teams could cut energy usage by at least use by 10 per cent.

"Most people have very little idea about how to save energy," he said.

"One of the simple things that can be done is to become more proficient in working your heating system controls.

"With energy getting more and more expensive and wasting energy contributing to climate change, it’s important we’re more aware about these things."

A representative from the winning team will travel to Brussels for the award ceremony next year.