We cut our energy bills and here's how you can

Families save power and money as price cap bites

- MATT ROPER and AMANDA KILLELEA

WITH energy bills soaring and many people trying to reduce usage, two families who made simple changes managed to save hundreds of pounds a year.

Last month, the energy price cap rose by 10%, meaning the average household pays about £1,700 a year.

It is an increase of £149 from the previous cap. Forecasters predict further rises next year, following Ofgem's next review this month.

As darker nights and colder weather means lights and heating are used more, ITV's Tonight programme challenged two families to see how much they could save on energy over a fortnight.

The Booths from Manchester and the Bradley-Benjamins from Northumberland were surprised to find they could significantly reduce bills without feeling any inconvenience.

Louise and Marcel Booth, who have grown-up children Jennifer, 25, and Harvey, 20, pay 2.5 times as much for power now, compared to before the energy crisis.

"It's getting even higher and it's a luxury to do anything now," says Louise, 46.