Community building managers in the Shipley area are being urged to join a new scheme aimed at beating climate change.

Environmental audit experts will carry out checks on buildings such as community centres and scout huts by reviewing energy and water use to help them reduce their carbon footprints.

The project, funded by the Shipley Area Committee, covers community buildings across the six wards of Wharfedale, Bingley, Bingley Rural, Windhill and Wrose, Baildon and Shipley.

A spokesman for the committee said small grants may be available to carry out any work designed to reduce carbon dioxide escaping from buildings.

The work will save money by reducing bills, and save energy and water, the spokesman said.

The new Energy and Water Efficiency Audits - Community Buildings Programme is managed as part of Bradford Environmental Action Trust (BEAT)'s programme, BEAT Climate Change.

Emma Hill, a spokesman for Beat Climate Change, said: "We all know it is vital that Bradford makes savings in energy and water use - cutting the carbon both as individuals and organisations is a key issue, what ever is decided by national and international governments. We are keen to encourage local initiatives"

Energy and water audits will be carried out by Shearwater Environmental - local environmental audit experts.

Further suggestions and training will also be available to help ensure longer-term building management takes energy and water saving into account.

The programme will run until March 31.

For more information, contact BEAT on (01274) 718420 or e-mail climatechange@beat.org.uk.

Details can be checked at www.beat.org.uk by following the climate change links.