"Outrageous" demand from power company

Marcia Linden of Martyns Way in Pebsham realised she hadn't received a meter reading or bill as usual and contacted Scottish and Southern Electric to ask why.

She was told there had not been not sufficient meter readers available to come and do the job but that she might expect a large bill.

Marcia then received a demand for gas and electricity at once - 449 and 162 respectively - which she described as "a shock", made worse by a final demand the next day, which she claims threatened action such as a visit from bailiffs if she did not pay.

"That got my back up," said Marcia.

"I had only just received the bill from them and they I got the letter from their credit people. This must be happening to lots of other customers. It comes as a big shock - I don't think that is the way any company should treat its customers.

"What annoys me is I am in contact with them by phone and letter to sort the problem out but another final demand came in from the credit office saying pay up or else."

The Observer called the customer relations department and the issue has since been resolved.

A spokesman for Scottish and Southern Electricity said: "As soon as we were made aware that there was a problem we contacted our customer to put things right. We are pleased to have been able to assist in resolving the problem with Ms Linden's bill. We have written to her to apologise that our level of service was not up to our usual high standard, and to advise that a credit has been made to her account by means of an apology."