Energy giant Octopus is giving away free electric blankets to customers for Christmas which could save as much as £300 on electricity and gas bills.

The firm is urging customers to buy an electric blanket – typically costing about £60 – if they can afford one because they can save households £300 a year on their energy bills.

But it has pledged to give away 10,000 electric blankets to customers this Christmas free of charge.

The blankets use heating elements and allow someone to keep warm at…