Yesterday it joined the ever-growing list of electricity and gas firms to go out of business since the start of September.

       Its 22,000 households will be transferred to a new supplier and funds that they have paid into their accounts will be protected, regulator Ofgem said.

       Around two million customers have lost their energy supplier in the last seven weeks after firms had to pay much more than expected for gas.

       Daligas, Pure Planet and Colorado Energy - which together served 250,000 customers - all ceased trading within 24 hours of each other last week.

       Goto said yesterday: "Customers need not worry, their supplies are secure and funds paid into their accounts will be protected if they are in credit.

       Worrying "Ofgem's advice is not to switch, but to wait until they appoint a new supplier for you.

       "This will help make sure that the process of handing customers over to a new supplier, and honouring domestic customers' credit balances, is as hassle-free as possible for customers."

       Ofgem advised customers to take meter readings so they are ready when their new supplier gets in touch.

       Ofgem director of retail Neil Lawrence said: "We know this is a worrying time for many people and news of a supplier going out of business can be unsettling.

       "I want to reassure affected customers that under our safety net, we'll make sure your energy supplies continue."