HAMPSHIRE residents and businesses are being urged to plunge the county into darkness on Saturday evening as part of a global one-hour switch off.

Between 8.30pm and 9.30pm some of the south’s most famous buildings, including Southampton’s Civic Centre clock tower and Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower will turn off their lights.

The Daily Echo’s own bright red sign will be extinguished and darkness will descend upon iconic global landmarks from Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Homes and businesses are also being urged to join the world’s third Earth Hour in a bid to raise awareness of climate change.

Some 1,500 cities from 80 countries across the globe have already signed up and it’s hoped as many as one billion around the world will join in.

WWF head of campaigns Colin Butfield said: “Earth Hour is set to be the world’s biggest ever climate change event, and it will send an incredibly powerful message to global leaders that, in order to avoid its worst impacts, they need to take action to tackle climate change now.

“WWF hopes that everyone in Southampton will take part and celebrate the hour by holding candlelit dinners with their friends and family.”

Lights off As well as the Civic Centre, Southampton City Council will be flicking off the lights at all of its administration offices and encouraging staff to switch off at home.

Hampshire County Council has also pledged to switch off all non-essential lights and appliances.

The county council’s offices at Ashburton Court will be plunged into darkness for one hour, as well as eight other buildings including the Great Hall.

Skandia is among the local businesses signed up. The financial giant will be switching off the lights at its Skandia House and Skandia Point offices.

Ikea Southampton’s marketing manager Rob Cooper said lights inside the superstore will be dimmed and all lamps will be switched off.

Ten per cent of profits from all Sparsam energy saving light bulbs will also go to WWF.

The wildlife charity hopes that the millions of people taking part in Earth Hour will help to convince governments across the world that they must agree to take action to tackle climate change when they meet at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009.

A poll conducted by WWF found 62 per cent of Southampton residents would vote for a political party that promised strong action against climate change.

The survey found 85 per cent believe the UK Government should be doing more to get world leaders to tackle the issue.

To sign up to WWF’s Earth Hour, please text “earth” to 84880 or visit wwf.org.uk/earthhour