Gas prices force two plants to shut down

SKY-high gas prices have forced two fertiliser plants to close in the north of England, affecting around 600 workers.

American group CF Industries Holdings has halted production at the sites in Teesside and Cheshire after weeks of spiralling prices which have repeatedly hit record highs.

The shutdowns confirm growing fears that heavy industry could need to ration power or curb their work during the autumn and winter.

Households could also see the problem get passed down into higher bills.

The crisis was made more acute earlier this week when a fire damaged a facility connecting the French and British power grids in Kent.

This pushed gas and electricity prices around a fifth higher.