A consumer watchdog has criticised energy supplier Seeboard for raising its gas prices for the second time in eight months.

In September last year the firm, which has been taken over by the London Electricity Group (LE), increased gas prices by six per cent. Now it has plans to increase prices by a further four per cent.

Seeboard said it had put prices up less frequently than its competitors in the last two years.

The group has about five million customers, mainly in the south east and covers most of Sussex.

Paula Rowe, Energywatch director for the Southern Region, said consumers should look around for savings which could add up to about £100.

She said: "We are concerned rises like these mean companies get richer and the consumers lose out."

Derek Lickorish, LE group's chief operating officer, said: "Our price change reflects a necessity for us to remain competitive, while continuing to deliver value for money for our customers. The fact the price changes are below those announced by other energy suppliers makes us very competitive indeed."