The growing demand as households cranked up their central heating systems triggered NATIONAL GRID'S first warning of the winter.
But the energy operator stressed there was no need for concern and insisted it had enough gas and electricity to meet the country's needs.
And demand for both is expected to fall after the middle of this week as Britain shuts down for Christmas.
The National Grid has only issued six gas balancing alerts to industry since the system was introduced in 2005. Network operations director Chris Train said: "Increased demand for energy is an inevitable consequence of the cold weather. However, we remain well supplied."
Stocks have been replenished with liquified natural gas imported by tanker and through a pipe connection with Belgium.
The previous record demand for gas of 465.5million cubic metres (mcm) was set on January 8 during last winter's Big Freeze.
The figure reached 456.6mcm on December 2, but National Grid predicted 465.8mcm yesterday.
Electricity demand is less affected by the weather because most homes are heated by gas, but was still expected to peak just below the record 61gigawatts set on December 10, 2002.
The AA reported motor insurance claims double the normal December volume on Monday, with snow or ice blamed for a record 71 per cent of accidents.
And THAMES WATER received more than 2,800 calls on Sunday with reports of frozen pipes four times the expected level as Britain shivered at minus 17°C.
THE weak housing market showed no sign of reviving last month as mortgage lending fell to a ten-year low.
Gross figures show it dropped ten per cent last month to £11.1billion, the Council of Mortgage Lenders said.
Sales run hot at John Lewis
JOHN Lewis scored near-record profits of £120million last week as Christmas shoppers braved the elements to spend big on gifts.
Toys, beauty products and lingerie were among the top sellers, but items like towels and inflatable beds were also snapped up as customers prepared for Christmas guests.
The week's profit was just £1million less than the record set the previous week, and was seven per cent up on the same week last year.
IHS Global Insight economist Howard Archer said: "People want a really good Christmas after the difficulties of the past couple of years."
US investor SHERBORNE is bidding to put its own men into British fund manager F&C after raising its stake to nearly 18 per cent.
Founder Edward Bramson, now the biggest shareholder, wants to take over as chairman.
FSA fines alert
BANKS and other financial firms face even more fines from the City watchdog than this year's record haul, legal experts predict.
The Financial Services Authority doled out £88.4million in fines this year.
But tougher penalties introduced in March will start to hit firms in earnest next year.
FSA boss Hector Sants famously told the City it should be "very frightened" of the FSA after it was blamed for giving the bankers free rein before the economic crisis.
CONSUMER confidence is set to fall sharply once Christmas is over, a survey has revealed. Nick Moon of GfK NOP said: "The real test will come when festive spending ceases and the VAT increase comes in."
BAE corruption case blow
ARMS giant BAE SYSTEMS' hopes of settling a long-running corruption probe were put in doubt yesterday.
The firm admits it paid an agent to get a radar contract from Tanzania - and failed to keep accurate records of payments.
At London's Southwark Crown Court, Mr Justice Bean said the obvious conclusion was that the money was used for bribes. He refused to accept the plea bargain agreed between BAE and the Serious Fraud Office until he had seen more details of the payments, and delayed passing sentence.
The case continues.
Morgan stay
US bank JP MORGAN has committed itself to London by buying bankrupt rival Lehman Brothers' former skyscraper at Canary Wharf for nearly £500million.
The bank's move to keep its European headquarters in London is a vote of confidence for Britain. Some banks have threatened to quit the country if rules or tax are too heavy.
JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon said: "This acquisition is a long-term investment and represents part of our continued commitment to London."
INDIAN giant TATA has bought one of Britain's biggest's road salt producers, BRITISH SALT, for £93million. The firm, based in Middlewich, Cheshire, has 125 employees. It produces about half the UK's pure salt.
source: www.thesun.co.uk
