IT COULD be the planet's biggest challenge - to save the Earth from the ravages of climate change.

But the hundreds of people who turned up at the PlanetYork energy fair on Saturday were willing to give it a go, and quickly pledged to do their bit for the environment.

There were plenty of incentives to show up, with competitions, giveaways and stacks of free advice.

But the most compelling incentive of all was the opportunity to cut down on energy waste while saving money.

PlanetYork, the first project of its kind, is a year-long energy efficiency campaign unique to the City of York.

Run in partnership by the Energy Saving Trust, City of York Council, the Evening Press and local partners, it offers citizens the opportunity to make a real impact on the local environment.

Saturday's Energy Fair, which showed people how to save energy at every opportunity, was opened by seasoned pantomime dame Berwick Kaler.

The flamboyant actor has recently bought a house in the city and has asked that it is given an energy check as soon as possible so he can see where he has been going wrong.

Dressed in a glitterball dress, he revealed why the campaign was the most important he has ever been involved in.

He said: "It is all right saying we have got to think about future generations, but we have got to think of ourselves as well.

"It is happening quickly and on a serious level and we have got to do something about it now, not tomorrow.

"If York can show the rest of the country that we can do it then it will be a great example for them to follow."

Kate Lock, of Bishopthorpe Road, was keen to find out how she could do her bit for the environment. She visited the fair with her partner Stephen Dunthorpe and four-year-old daughter Isis.

She said: "We are very good on recycling - we recycle everything we can.

"We are also trying to compost but I think I need some help with that.

"It's not much effort, you get used to washing out cans and bottles and we are definitely throwing a lot less away.

"Isis knows about recycling and she puts her paper in the recycling pile."

Roy Hearn, chairman of the York Federation of Resident and Community Associations, visited the fair in a semi-official role to look at the stalls and demonstrations.

He said: "This is a great asset to York. Over the year it will build up and York will benefit from it.

"The first thing is to get the information to people, then they can read and understand it, then start to really make a difference."

Daniel Johnson, Travelwise officer for City of York Council, said the little changes could make a big difference.

He said: "If you really need to use your car, think about switching to a low emission vehicle.

"But think about each journey, think can I walk, can I cycle?"

PlanetYork campaign manager, Laura Collins, said: "It's been very exciting, lots of people are showing a lot of support for it.

"They have already heard about it from the Evening Press supplement and we have been getting a lot of people to pledge their commitment to the campaign, from turning off their lights to changing their central heating systems.

"Hopefully it will carry on."

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Updated: 08:24 Monday, August 20, 2001