SHOPPERS will get energy-saving tips when a Kirklees retail park hosts a major exhibition.

Birstall Shopping Park alongside the M62 will stage the exhibition from February 25 to March 9 to show thousands of visitors how simple measures can help households and businesses reduce water and energy use and cut waste.

Organisations taking part include Kirklees Energy Services, Leeds City Council’s recycling and waste department, Bradford-based environmental group Why Waste and environmnetal charity Groundwork.

The exhibition, backed by Business in the Community, will include giant billboards and displays carrying practical information on issues such as energy use, carbon emissions, transport, recycling, water use and waste reduction.

There will also be practical advice from energy experts, leaflets, free prizes and competitions.

Clr Martyn Bolt, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for environmental and climate change issues, said: “Actions can be as easy as turning the thermostat down one degree, changing to energy-saving lightbulbs, washing clothes at 30 degrees, taking shorter showers or turning off appliances.”

The exhibition, which has been welcomed by the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, will be officially opened at 10.30am on Tuesday, February 26, by Kirklees Council leader Clr Robert Light. Clr Light said: “Managing the effects of climate change is a priority for public and private organisations – and all citizens have a role to play. I commend this event for presenting the issue in very practical terms to thousands of people in our region.”

Denis Copeland, shopping park manager, said: “The aim of the exhibition is to help everyone become more environmentally friendly.” He said the exhibition underlined the determination of shopping park owner British Land to work with customers to become greener.

British Land is the largest owner of out-of-town retail warehouses and superstores in the UK. It has pledged to reduce water, waste and energy use.