TENS of thousands of British Gas customers in Hampshire will see their annual household gas bill soar by £78 equivalent to an extra £1.62 a week.

News of the increase has been met with widespread anger in the county, with one local MP calling for a better deal for low-income pensioners.

British Gas, which employs more than 1,000 people at its customer service centre in Southampton, announced yesterday that bills could rise as much as 12.4 per cent when the new prices come into effect on September 4.

The hikes will bring the average British Gas gas bill up by £78 to £707.

They will be of particular concern to the 140,000 pensioners in the Daily Echo delivery area.

The cost of electricity will also rise by almost ten per cent.

Gas and energy watchdog Energywatch said British Gas had been forced to raise its prices due to the failings of the wholesale gas market.

Energywatch director of campaigns Adam Scorer said: "Energy consumers will feel attacked. They will be looking for the next blow. But it is clear why British Gas have needed to raise their prices."

Across the south the bill hikes have been met with despair.

Southampton FC board member and vice-president of Age Concern Lawrie McMenemy said that the new charges would "crush" elderly people.

He said: "The price hikes are going to be devastating to elderly people on fixed pensions.

"They still need gas and electricity to live, but once they finish working they have very limited income. How will they be able to pay?"

In light of speculation that people may refuse to pay the new prices, Mr McMenemy said that the best plan of action would be to contact local MPs and get them to take up the case.