Brits waste the most energy in Europe

The British are the worst in Europe when it comes to energy efficiency because they don't switch off or unplug their electrical appliances.

Putting personal computers and televisions on standby and not unplugging mobile phone chargers are some of the biggest wastes of energy, according to research by the Energy Saving Trust.

The report claims that 71 per cent of UK householders leave appliances on standby.

Switching those electrical items off would save enough energy to power 1.2 million homes every year, the Energy Saving Trust claims.

Unplugging mobile phone chargers would save enough electricity every year to power 115,000 British homes.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, unless it changes its ways Britain will have wasted £11bn in fuel by 2010, creating 43 million tonnes of carbon dioxide greenhouse gasses.

The report, which is published at the start of Energy Saving Week in the UK, looked at the habits of 5,000 people in countries throughout Europe.