Switching off electrical appliances paid dividends for households, schools, councils and companies.

Those which took part in the Big Switch Off – which urged people to turn off lights, electrical appliances on standby and not to overfill kettles for a week – saved £50,000, it emerged today.

Power company Central Networks estimated that if the switch off was repeated all year round it would save consumers £2.6m. The week, organised by Environmental Action for a Better Leicestershire (Enable) between October 12 and 18, also resulted in a cut of 195 tonnes in the production of greenhouse gas CO2.

Chairman of Enable, Professor Mike Preston said: "I am pleased to see that so many people took part in this year's Big Switch Off.

"It goes to show that energy, and money, can be saved by taking a few simple measures.

"If people remember to take simple steps such as switching off standby buttons on TVs and computers, unplugging phone chargers which are not in use and switching off unnecessary lights in rooms that are empty, we will see a real difference."

Leicestershire County Council cut its energy consumption at its Glenfield offices by nearly five per cent per cent.

Over a year, it would be a saving of £18,283.

Leicester City Council saw a nearly two per cent reduction across its buildings, which includes libraries, leisure centres and offices, saving nearly three tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Blaby District Council which made a three per cent saving while an extra effort at Charnwood Borough Council saw a combined saving of 10.5 per cent at its offices and Loughborough Town Hall during the week.

A spokesman for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said people in Hinckley saved the equivalent of 32,946 100-watt light bulbs being switched off for the entire week.

A spokeswoman for Oadby and council said: "Staff did switch off computers and lights."

At North West Leicestershire, employees helped reduce the council's electricity bill and carbon footprint. Thirty eight "green champions" urged colleagues at the council's offices in Coalville to switch off equipment for a week.

On top of the week-long switch off, families and community groups have been taking part in year-long challenges to see who can save the most energy.

The Bird family, from Tilton on the Hill, have just finished a 12-month family challenge.

Results show they have cut energy use by more than 36 per cent, a £20 a month saving.

Julian Bird said: "We took measures such as switching the TV off standby, not using the tumble drier and only filling the kettle with as much water as we needed. I encourage other people to do similar things."

At Melton and Harborough council, staff took part but figures are not available.