BOSSES from a leading energy company were in Barry this week to explain the facts behind rising energy bills.

Centrica Energy bosses came to Barry after, earlier this year, independent research company BritainThinks asked local people to share their views on the UK's energy issues and, unsurprisingly, rising energy bills was the number one concern.

A total of 71 per cent of people mentioned rising energy bills spontaneously as the top energy issue while 55 per cent of people blamed price rises on energy companies increasing profits. The same amount said they would be interested to hear more about the issues involved.

Centrica Energy's Managing Director, Mark Hanafin, and Barry Power Station's Generation Manager, Elsa Mitchem, met with nearly 50 local residents at the Memo Arts Centre in Barry to discuss, debate and, most importantly, listen to the issues that concern people.

Mark Hanafin said: "Energy is something that matters to each and everyone of us. Yet conversations about energy are often had in and around Westminster, and feel far removed from the people they have the biggest impact on.

"So, this year I've made it my priority to speak to as many people as I can, direct and in person, to find out about their concerns.

"I'm not expecting everyone to agree with everything I have to say, but I want us all to have an open and honest debate about energy.

"We've had some really interesting discussions with local people and community leaders so far, including in Barry where there was a big focus on securing affordable and sustainable energy for the future. I hope this is just the start of an energy debate which everyone can get involved in."

Cordelia Hay of BritainThinks, the independent agency which conducted the research, added: "In a climate of deep mistrust of the energy sector, the Energy Matters events in Barry and Cardiff showed that it is possible to have a constructive conversation with people about energy.

"While the cost of energy is clearly front of mind for everyone, the Energy Matters events with local people and community leaders also showed that people care a great deal about the security of our energy supply."