Islington Council will cold-call people to persuade them to switch to its new gas and electricity energy tariff.

At a town hall meeting on Thursday, the council executive agreed to set up Angel Energy, a council-branded service that will take on the “big six” energy suppliers.

Gas and electricty bills have increased by about 50 per cent since 2005, and the Angel Energy will target “elderly and more vulnerable” residents to help them make savings of up to £200 a year.

The £100,000 scheme, which the council aims to roll out next year, aims to have 6,000 people from Islington on board by the end of its first 12 months.

And the authority will use telesales as one method of persuading people to switch.

It has promised marketing will be “ethical”, with other approaches including direct mail, posters around the borough and press adverts.

However, a report that went before the executive also warned that council’s good name will be on the line.

It said: “Reputation is a key risk. Energy prices go up and go down. It cannot be certain that the Islington-branded offer will always remain one of the most competitive.”

The report also warned: “There will also be residents who get into debt, and that debt will need to be recovered.”

Angel Energy will be a partnership with Robin Hood Energy, which is owned by Nottingham City Council.