Natural gas prices in the Isle of Man will remain unchanged, despite energy suppliers in the United Kingdom bringing in further increases.

Manx Gas says forward buying has enabled the company to maintain existing pricing for natural gas users in Douglas, Onchan and Glen Vine.

And it's working with the government to consider the potential for extending natural gas to Ramsey, Peel and the south of the Island.

James Davis reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Currently customers in these areas use liquid petroleum gas, or LPG, which is shipped and not piped into the Island, and more prone to price fluctuations. International crude oil prices have risen considerably recently and Manx Gas says this means they will have to put prices up in this instance.

A fuel cost surcharge of 0.93 pence per unit will be added from February 1 for LPG users only. This equates to a 13. 2 % increase for LPG central heating customers.

Alan Bates, Managing Director of Manx Gas, says when oil prices drop, the surcharge will be reduced or removed as soon as possible, and if Island-wide natural gas does become available gas pricing will become much more stable.

(Picture: Alan Bates).