The lights will be going out in council buildings across Telford to help combat climate change as part of a global initiative to cut back on energy use.

Telford & Wrekin Council is backing Earth Hour, an international awareness raising event which has been created by the World Wildlife Fund to encourage individuals, businesses and communities to switch off their lights for one hour.

Earth Hour will happen on Saturday from 8.30pm.

The council supported the switch-off in 2009 and helped promote the event throughout the borough, encouraging the authority’s partners to participate in the initiative.

This year’s power purge will take place between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday at municipal buildings at the Civic Offices, Darby House, all libraries, Phoenix Sports Centre, Spout Farm House at the Town Park, Dothill Day Centre, Glebe offices, The Mount, and Horsehay Village Golf Centre.

All security measures will be enabled and in place during the event and there are no risks to building users and staff.

Councillor Adrian Lawrence, cabinet member for environment and rural areas, said: “It is important that the council takes part and supports this initiative again. We need to demonstrate the value of action in regard to climate change and also support our partners who wish to participate in Earth Hour.”

Michael Barker, Telford & Wrekin Council head of planning and transport, added: “Last year we were able to arrange for seven council buildings to take part and the event was very successful. In 2010 we are able to build on that success and add to the premises supporting this global initiative.

“In addition we have also written to schools around the borough inviting them to join in and help raise awareness through Earth Hour about the importance of taking positive steps locally to help alleviate the effects of climate change.

“Already Lawley Primary, Sir Alexander Fleming, Tibberton Primary and Millbrook Primary Schools have confirmed they will be taking part,” he said.

By Brett Gibbons