RISING fuel bills are stretching household finances and people are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills — and local charity West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau is looking to increase the number of people it has already helped.

To reach more consumers, the bureau is taking part in an advice campaign called Big Energy Week.

The national campaign will see thousands of people across the country obtain practical help and advice to cut their fuel bills and get all the financial support to which they are entitled.

Mandy Kenyon, development officer at West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau, said: 'More and more people are coming to us for advice on how to spend less on their fuel bills.

'While we continue to help people on a daily basis with face to face and online advice, there is a real need to reach out to more people who are struggling and Big Energy Week is an opportunity for us to do just that.'

To mark the start of Big Energy Week, West Devon CAB staff will be teaming up with West Devon Connect partners at Hatherleigh Market between 9am and noon.

Shoppers can get practical tips on how they could spend less on heating their home as well as receiving information on other subjects from Devon Wheels to Work, West Devon Borough Council, Oakhouse Foods and Call 24, which promotes independent living.

Throughout Big Energy Week, January 16 to 21, there will be leaflets available from the local CAB offices at Kingdon House Tavistock and the Ockment Centre Okehampton, and a website http://www.bigenergyweek.org.uk">www.bigenergyweek.org.uk – which is full of tips to cut your energy bills.

Big Energy Week is supported by consumer organisations such as Consumer Focus and Which?, charities, the Government, Ofgem, energy suppliers and switching websites.

Big Energy Week was an outcome of the Energy Summit on October 17. Full details on the summit and its outcomes can be found at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/consumer_summi/consumer_summi.aspx">www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/consumer_summi/consumer_summi.aspx