Hi-tech meters could help save customers money on their gas and electricity bills according to the energy watch dog Energywatch.

Smart meters can calculate the cost of consumption which will allow customers to track their spending at a glance.

Graham Kerr, of Energywatch Scotland, said smart meters could help consumers reduce their costs, promote energy-efficient behaviour, and help prevent vulnerable households getting into debt.

"The paucity of information given to consumers makes it difficult for them to monitor and manage energy costs," he said.

"Smart meters giving half-hourly readings would change this dramatically.

"What more incentive would you need to leave bad habits behind if you had to sit and watch your energy bills go up every 30 minutes?"