WHOLESALE gas prices remained steady after a Christmas shutdown by much of Britain's heavy industry offset increased domestic use in the cold snap.

Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, said the wholesale price had been steady around the 71p-a-therm mark over the past week, though it dropped as low as 50p a therm on Christmas Eve when demand was at its lowest.

It was at 75p a therm yesterday as some businesses went back to work and temperatures dropped well below freezing.

The figure is expected to fall again over the new year holiday before rising slightly to 80p next month.

This compares with Nov-ember when another icy spell saw prices more than triple within a week to reach 155p a therm.

A seasonal industry slowdown is usual - though it is thought some firms prolonged their closures..

Pressures on energy suppliers have been exacerbated by the fact that the UK is no longer self-sufficient in gas, after North Sea supplies dwindled. It removed a natural cushion for the UK energy industry against volatility in wholesale markets.