HOUSEHOLDERS face bigger gas bills after Manx Gas announced its second price increase in four months.

The average domestic natural gas central heating customer faces paying an extra £53 per year while the average domestic Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) central heating customer will pay an extra £115 per year.

The company said the move is a result of global increases in Natural Gas and LPG prices and the measure will come into force on February 17.

There will be a 0.53p per unit increase in all natural gas tariffs, while the cost of LPG will rise by 1.15p per unit for all metered tariffs, mini bulk and cylinder tariffs.

Manx Gas managing director Tony Nicholls said: "We regret having to make this adjustment but the well publicised increases in world prices for energy affect us all.

"Despite our efforts to secure the best prices for our customers by buying ahead, natural gas costs have risen significantly and are forecast to stay high for 2011.

"The cost of LPG has increased far beyond our forecast and we paid significantly more for the feedstock up to the end of December than we had budgeted and the outlook is for prices to stay at a high level for 2011."

Mr Nicholls added: "We will continue to review wholesale prices throughout the coming months to ensure all tariffs reflect prices on the energy markets, both downward and upward movements are possible as the market forecasts do not always prove accurate."

Last October the company introduced a 5.5 per cent increase for all natural gas tariffs and a 7.6 per cent increase for LPG customers.