East Devon's MP is pressuring British Gas to rethink a decision to reduce the number of places you can top up a prepayment meter in Sidmouth and the wider East Devon area.

The area's MP, Simon Jupp, has written to British Gas after the utilities company ended a contract with Paypoint, which allowed gas users to top up at local convenience stores and super markets.

Now gas users have to top-up via an app or online. In the letter to British Gas chief executive Sarwijt Sambhi, Mr Jupp, and a number of other MPs, expressed their concerns about the new set up for prepayment customers, he wrote: "We are concerned about the decision made by British Gas regarding how customers with prepayment meters can top up their meters as of January 1st, particularly about the reduction in the number of places where they can top up their prepayment meters over the counter.

"With the lack of Smart2 meters, paying via an app or online seems a limited option too. Ending the Paypoint contract and only having the option of Payzone (as well as a Post Office) brings significant difficulty for many of our constituents, particularly in rural constituencies.

"We appreciate that having the contract with Payzone – owned by the Post Office – may reduce costs for British Gas, but this should not come at the expense of customers from the most vulnerable sections of our community.

"We ask that you reconsider this change and reinstate the contract with Paypoint which will provide greater and more accessible choice for your customers."

Nub News has contacted British Gas for a comment on the letter.