Lib Dems champion 'Switch it off' event

9.52.59am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 13th Jun 2007

Maidstone residents and businesses are being encouraged to turn off lights and non essential appliances in support of Lights out London.

On Thursday 21 June between 9 and 10pm famous landmarks in London will be switching off to promote understanding of green issues and to show that people can make a difference to the future of the planet.

The event is based on Earth Hour, a similar switch off held earlier in the year in Sydney, which saw energy consumption in the city fall by 10.2 percent.

Now Maidstone Borough Council is urging residents to join in the big switch off, as well as getting involved in other ways. Leader of the Council, Fran Wilson, said: "It's not just about turning off lights. If you have to travel a small distance in a car, why not try walking? Use the kettle one less time during the day and try turning off the standby switch on your television and computer. We can all make a difference, and this is a great way to raise awareness of the effects of climate change and looking after the planet."

Maidstone was recently short listed in the LGC Sustainable Communities Award for Tackling Climate Change and has been recognised as one of the leading council's in the South East for its work in this area.

Recent measures taken to tackle climate change include:

· Providing two low emission pool cars for staff use

· Trialling bio-diesel in its vehicles

· Getting its electricity from a renewable supplier

· Installing a renewable energy boiler fuelled by woodchips from local coppice woodlands for its new offices

· Making sure that all new social housing funded by the council is built to the highest eco standards by 2008

· The Primrose Promise - that by the time every seven year old in the borough went to secondary school the council would be carbon neutral.