A new group called Belford Energy Saving Together (BEST) has teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust in a bid to cut the village's use of power.

As part of the project, a week-long exhibition has been organised at St Mary's Middle School, starting on July 6.

In addition, a letter and questionnaire have been circulated by the group to residents and businesses to raise awareness of BEST and ask them to carry out an energy check at home or work to establish just how much is currently being used.

BEST's Roy Dodds explained that setting up the group was first discussed at a meeting in the village last October, which attracted a number a number of organisations and individuals.

"The Energy Saving Trust was looking to work with a village to try to reduce its energy use," he said.

"Out of that first meeting came a smaller group which set about deciding what we needed to do.

"The main thing at the moment is trying to get people to install loft insulation and cavity wall insulation as well as energy efficient light bulbs," he said.

As part of the project, children at the middle school were asked to help design a logo for BEST and the designs by Hannah Parkin, Erik Bagenal-Lowe, Otello Calvert and Anna Tucker were chosen.

Mr Dodds said it was hoped to recruit the village's youngsters to act as ambassadors for the project.

BEST has also received support from local business.

Mr Dodds said: "Looking to the future, we are hoping we might be able to generate energy using the facilities at Coastal Grains," and the company's Terence Pardo said it was willing to 'step up to the challenge.'

"It's great to be involved in the BEST group, we firmly support the efforts of working together to save energy.

"Although residents are responsible for nearly half the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, business also plays a significant role," he said.