New displays are going up in Council buildings to show how energy-efficient they are.

The top 20 buildings in terms of energy consumption will take part in the pilot project including City Hall, the Shipley, Ilkley and Keighley Town Halls, Richard Dunn Sports Centre and Bradford Register Office.

The displays will grade the building from A to G, showing how much energy and water is consumed and how much CO2 is produced.

They will also show the percentage of energy used from fossil, nuclear and renewable sources.

"We are using this energy rating method as a way of engaging the staff in buildings," said Phil Jones, the Council's group engineer for energy. "It's a simple way of expressing the energy usage at their place of work in way that most people will be familiar with from domestic appliances."

They will be reviewed annually and are part of the European Display Campaign, a voluntary scheme to encourage local authorities to publicly display their energy consumption.

It is hoped they will increase awareness by staff and customers about saving energy and encourage them to make savings.

Jacob's Well has been ranked the highest in the three categories, with D for energy performance, C for CO2 emissions and D for water use. The worst performing are the sports and leisure centres being monitored with three G grades.

Bradford Register Office is the first to have an energy display fitted, and a further nine civic buildings will receive one by the end of next month. The remaining ten leisure buildings will be fitted at a later date.

The move comes at a time when the Council is facing a £1.9 million hole in it's energy budget due to spiralling fuel bills.

Each department is being asked to put forward suggestions as to how it can save the necessary amount - with arts, heritage and leisure expected to be hit worst.

Possible measures include switching off the external lights at the Alhambra, price hikes at sports centres, a recruitment freeze and a halt on buying new library books.

Directors from each department are now being asked to provide more information of the effects of the cost-cutting plans.

Other measures planned include council employees being asked to volunteer for a hit-squad of "eco-stewards" to ensure good energy practices throughout Council buildings.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk