HUNDREDS of Wallingford residents have pledged to save energy in a bid to reduce the town’s carbon footprint.

Sustainable Wallingford has launched a list of eight simple tasks for local residents to help cut their energy use.

The group wants everybody signing up to the challenges to display a card in their window so neighbours know of their commitment to tackle climate change.

Organisers estimate that households taking part can save £150 on their annual energy bills.

Pupils from St John’s Primary School marched to the Regal Centre singing and carrying banners campaigning for action against climate change, while groups of Beavers and Scouts made cardboard washing machines urging people to wash their clothes at lower temperatures.

Meanwhile, the choir of St Mary le More and St Leonard’s parish churches sang: “This little light of mine, I’m going to turn it off.”

Sustainable Wallingford chairman Sue Roberts said: “The strongest motivation for doing something about the environment is to see other people doing it as well. If you feel that the whole community is doing something, you are more likely to make an effort than if you feel you are on your own.

“Some people are already doing these things, and others don’t believe in climate change, which is extremely scary.”

Wallingford is the first town in Oxfordshire to embrace the Greening Campaign since it was founded two years ago by campaigner Terena Plowright in her home town of Petersfield, Hampshire.

The system of simple pledge cards has been extended to dozens of towns and villages in the south-east.

To date, the scheme has saved 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 —equivalent to not burning 500,000 truckloads of charcoal.

Greening Wallingford pledge cards are available from Waitrose and the town information centre, and 3,500 have been delivered to local homes.

Sustainable Wallingford members will record how many homes in the town are displaying pledge cards between November 9 and November 15, calculating how much energy will be saved across the town.

Wantage and Didcot MP Ed Vaizey said: “What is good about this initiative is that there are eight easy-to-understand, practical steps that people can take. Although individuals may not imagine their contributions may make a huge difference, together a community can make a significant impact.”