The UK's biggest energy firm has posted a surplus of £585 million, after the coldest winter for 30 years.

Households heating and gas usage rose eight percent. British Gas was also helped by the addition of 223,00 new customers, who joined after the firm cut gas bills in February.

Chief executive Sam Laidlaw said: "This is a competitive market so we can't give any signals but our position has always been to lead the market down and try to delay any price increases as long as we can."

Despite the huge profits hike at the residential arm, the British Gas services business saw operating profits fall 3% to £109 million as the big chill sparked a record level of callouts.