EDF - with a major base in Gloucester - has taken over nearly a quarter of a million customers left without a supplier after Utility Point ceased trading a week ago.

Energy regulator Ofgem appointed the French-owned company to take on the accounts of 220,000 domestic customers.

The collapse of the small energy supplier is just one of the latest to fall victim to rising wholesale energy prices.

Ofgem appointed EDF as offering the 'best deal' for customers with a competitive tariff and money owed to both existing and former customers being honoured.

Neil Lawrence, Ofgem's director of retail, said: "I am pleased to announce we have appointed EDF as the new supplier for customers after Utility Point entered insolvency. We understand that this news may be unsettling for customers, however they do not need to worry. Their energy supply will continue as normal and all customer credit balances held on their accounts will be protected by EDF."

Philippe Commaret, Managing Director for EDF's Customers business, said: "With EDF they will be getting a reliable supplier who provides excellent service and a guaranteed, fair rate through winter. Customers do not need to do anything at the moment - supply will continue as normal and we'll be in touch to explain any new arrangements."

Five energy suppliers have gone bust in the last five weeks alone, leaving 665,000 households looking for a new provider.

In the year to date, over 1 million households have been affected.

Also this week, People's Energy customers - approximately 350,000 domestic users and around 1,000 non-domestic - were assigned to British Gas.