A FARNWORTH man has blasted gas companies after he was caught up in a confusing dispute over his supply.

The trouble started for David Collier when a Manweb salesman called at his home in Colchester Drive, trying to persuade him to switch from British Gas.

Mr Collier declined but soon received a letter from Manweb, thanking a 'Mr Willison' for agreeing to get his gas at that address from them.

After numerous telephone conversations Mr Collier eventually convinced them that he had not agreed any contract.

Manweb told him he would then have to sign a 'win back' letter from British Gas and go through a process transferring back which could take about two months.

Then Mr Collier was warned he would have to pay Manweb for gas used in the two months he waited to be fixed up with British Gas.

Mr Collier said: "I told them 'I don't have a contract with you do I? Therefore you cannot send me a bill can you?"

He refused to pay any bill and threatened to inform his solicitor and the industry regulator Ofgas.

He said: "The upshot is that Manweb would effectively supply my gas free of charge while the transfer back was taking place."

But that was not the end of the problems. First British Gas told Mr Collier he should supply a meter reading, then they sent him a bill of more than £300 based on an estimate.

When Mr Collier first moved into the house in January last year he says the standing order details were messed up by British Gas. Once the Manweb situation was sorted he says he was advised to ignore previous bills and wait as there was a backlog of cases.

And he is adamant that the subsequent confusing wrangle must be settled between British Gas and Manweb.

Mr Collier said: "At the moment we still have a gas supply. Who's gas it is, I don't know. Who's paying for it I don't know."

A British Gas spokesman said: "We have the greatest sympathy with Mr Collier and the many other customers who have been switched to other suppliers against their will.

"His bill was based on a meter reading supplied to us by the new supply company and we have to accept that under national regulations."

British Gas have now written to Mr Collier advising him to send his own meter reading and offering to set up a new direct debit.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.