Lights on Chester’s iconic Eastgate Clock will be switched off for one hour on Saturday, March 29 as part of a global campaign to help tackle climate change.

Every year Earth Hour brings together communities from across the world celebrating a commitment to the planet by switching off lights for one designated hour.

Cheshire West and Chester Council will switch off the architectural lighting on the Eastgate Clock for one hour at 8.30 pm to show its support for the campaign.

A retro-fitted section of LED lighting through the centre of Ashton Hayes will also be switched off to show support alongside other activities taking place in the village during the hour, run by the Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral group.

Homes and businesses across the world are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights at 8.30pm in a call for greater efforts to deal with climate change.

Lights will go out on buildings around the world including Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Clarence House, the Eiffel Tower, Rio de Janerio’s Christ the Redeemer and the Empire State Building and Ashton Hayes.

More than 100,000 people and businesses across the UK are expected to take part in Earth Hour, which is led by environment charity World Wildlife Fund.

Councillor Hugo Deynem, the council’s champion for climate change, said: “I am extremely pleased we are actively supporting Earth Hour 2014 through turning the lights off on our iconic Eastgate Clock and elsewhere this weekend.

“Earth Hour encourages individuals, businesses, local and central governments to show leadership on environmental solutions through their actions, and to use Earth Hour as a platform to showcase to the world, what measures they are taking to reduce their environmental impact.

“By switching off your lights for Earth Hour you can join the council in demonstrating your commitment to do something more for the planet that goes beyond the hour.”