YORK councillors have welcomed plans for free electricity monitors to help householders cut domestic energy bills.

The city's Labour leader Dave Merrett and deputy leader Ruth Potter welcomed Government plans to introduce free monitors to all households in Britain as part of its strategy to alleviate climate change.

Coun Merrett said: "These visual monitors can help people cut back on unnecessary use, saving money and cutting emissions of carbon dioxide from power stations, the main greenhouse gas causing global warming and climate change."

Coun Potter added: "A recent survey by the Energy Saving Trust showed that most people wanted better information about their energy use, so I think these free visual displays would be very popular with York residents."