AN East Lancashire town is to become one of the first in Britain where people can cut household bills by shopping locally.

A loyalty card, awarding points to customers who use shops and other businesses in Accrington will be launched on December 1.

Every £1 spent will earn points which can be converted into savings on gas, electricity or phone bills.

The programme, known as Centre Point, is backed by Hyndburn Council, Hyndburn Chamber of Trade and Accrington town centre retailers' committee.

Accrington town centre manager David Brown said Centre Point was the latest in a series of initiatives to develop local businesses. He added: "This loyalty programme will increase residents' pride in their home town and help Accrington shops compete with bigger towns in the region."

David Jones, manager of the Arndale shopping centre which has more than 40 tenants, said: "This will be an excellent scheme. It will help us retain customers who might otherwise be tempted to do their shopping elsewhere."

The scheme will be managed by Lancashire-based Hesketh Information Technology, a leading UK operator of loyalty card systems.

Hesketh operations director, Barry Sharples, said: "The development of big out-of-town retail parks has led to the closure of thousands of small and medium-sized shops in centres which used to be focal points of community life. Centre Point is helping to reverse this trend.

"By taking part in this programme, retailers and customers will help create an even higher quality and wider range of local shops and services."

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