Energy companies must make their bills and contracts more transparent and easier to understand, says local MP Simon Hart.

With energy prices rising steadily Mr Hart is getting dozens of calls from people worried about the cost of fuel and electricity.

"This is the biggest single issue that is worrying people at the moment," said Mr Hart. "I am getting more letters and calls about this than anything else." One man has got in touch to say that his LPG has gone up in price by 40 per cent in just three months.

"People can't believe that the prices are rising so quickly and more and more are becoming trapped in fuel poverty," said Mr Hart. " As is so often the case those living in the countryside have less choice when it comes to energy supplier because they are not on main supplies.

"What we are finding is that people sign contracts, possibly because they are tempted by a sweetener like an instant £50 cashback deal, and then when it's too late realise they are locked into a two-year contract and they are unable to shop around when the price starts rising.

"The energy companies must be more transparent about their contracts and it should be easier to compare like-for-like between the companies," added Mr Hart who is planning to contribute to a fuel poverty debate in Westminster this week.