A small gas supplier claims it has outdone some of its bigger rivals by installing more meters and supplying gas to the commercial sector.

Harrogate-based CNG says it came ahead of Big Six firms Scottish Power and EDF Energy in a ranking of top service providers in gas for business, put together by consultancy Cornwall Energy.

The firm supplied more units (Therms) and more meter points to businesses than some of their well-known competitors in the last quarter of 2011.

The small supplier trumpeted its success in breaking into the table for the first time as evidence of changing consumer attitudes.

Jacqui Hall, CNG Managing Director said: “Customers are increasingly seeking alternative providers outside of the Big Six and brand names as they recognise the competitive advantages of smaller companies.”

Coming eighth overall, CNG still languished behind gas bigwig British Gas which supplied more than ten times the number of therms over the same period.