Bradford Council bosses are hoping to slash water bills by fitting an innovative device to toilets in its buildings.

If trials are successful a water-saving kit will be fitted to hundreds of cisterns in City Hall, Council offices, libraries, museums and sports centres across the district.

The move is intended to cut the authority's water costs which have reached more than £1 million a year.

Phil Jones, the Council's group engineer for energy, said he hoped to begin a trial next month at Flockton House in East Bowling, which is used as the headquarters of Education Bradford.

He said: "I understand it saves water and cuts costs but it could take the users time to get used to it.

"We will have to wait and see if the trial is successful, then calculate what the projected savings are before making a decision."

The Interflush device was created by Mirfield inventor David Wilks. Trials are also taking place at councils in Kirklees and Doncaster.

Mr Wilks has met Mr Jones and his team to discuss the plans and they agreed to the trial. One of the devices has already been fitted in Flockton House. It is hoped the remaining 40 toilets there will be adapted next month.

The trial is expected to last about six months and water usage will be monitored via the building's automated system. Mr Wilks said his invention saves half of flushing water in offices, and knocks about 40 per cent off overall water bills.

The £20 kit fits easily on to the existing cistern and connects to the handle. It regulates the amount of water used and must be held down to continue flushing.

Interflush was the winner of best invention at the British Invention Show in 2004 and it has won Mr Wilks a £40,000 Shell Springboard award for innovative ideas that combat global warming.

The trial comes amid fears of a severe drought hitting the country this summer. Hosepipe bans are already in place in parts of southern England, although it is not thought there will be similar restrictions in Yorkshire.

Jacob Tompkins, of the Waterwise project which promotes water efficiency, praised the Council's move.

He said: "Devices such as these can save water and money and make a significant contribution to conserving a precious resource.

"The fact that the Council is trialling this product that was invented and made in Yorkshire shows its commitment to resource sustainability and local business. It's good when the environment and business can come together like this."