SOUTHEND residents pay less for their gas than other areas across the country, according to new research.

Price comparison website, moneysupermarket.com, found wide regional variations in the cost of electricity and gas of as much as ten per cent.

It found households in South-end paid on average £33.14 less a year for gas, compared to residents in Inverness. Bills on British Gas’ cheapest tariff are £295.30, compared to £328.44 a year for those in Inverness on the same tariff.

The website said there was no tangible reason for the regional variations.

Earlier this year, consumer watchdog Energywatch, rev-ealed consumers in Wales were being charged around £19 million more for electricity than consumers in England – about 10 per cent more on an average household bill.

Paul Schofield, head of utilities at moneysupermarket.com, urged users to shop around for best prices. He said: “Further price rises are a daunting prospect, especially in the current economic climate. People need to ensure they are on the best tariff and shouldn’t be lulled into thinking they will automatically get the cheapest deal if living in a provider’s ‘core’ area.”