A power provider has agreed its customers can pay their energy bills using the local currency in Bristol.

The ‘Bristol Pound’ was designed to boost the city’s economy and is already being used by consumers for food shopping, council tax and bus fares.

It is the first city-wide currency in the UK.

Juliet Davenport, CEO and Founder Good Energy, which supplier renewable electricity said: “We believe the future of energy is home-grown, sustainable generation which benefits communities and the planet. We’re incredibly excited to be leading the way by inviting our customers in Bristol to support green energy and their local economy at the same time.

“This is a world first, there’s simply nowhere else you can pay for your gas and electricity with a local currency.”

Around 800 businesses in Bristol currently accept the local currency.