A COUPLE got the shock of their lives when they returned home from holiday to find a £5,000 electricity bill waiting for them.

Theresa Stott, aged 67, and her husband Norman, aged 73, of Acre Field, Harwood, had been away for two weeks for a relaxing holiday with their grandchildren.

But they were thrown into a state of panic, when they opened the bill - 100 times the usual amount they pay - moments after returning home.

Mrs Stott said: "It was late at night and we'd just got through the front door when we saw this bill. When I saw how much it was for, £5,403, I nearly collapsed. It would normally be around £50.

"We always pay by direct debit and the payment was due to go out on January 5 - the following morning.

"I barely slept that night with worry. I rushed down to the bank and explained the situation to them. There wasnt enough money in the account anyway and I was worried about incurring further bank charges."

The couple had swapped their electricity supplier from Powergen to British Gas in early November, and the bill was meant to be their final payment.

When they contacted British Gas, the company said it was a Powergen issue. But Powergen initially insisted the mix up was nothing to do with them.

Mrs Scott said: "I'm still in a state of shock. It has really upset me and nobody has apologised or advised us on what to do. I feel like I've just been passed from pillar to post."

Powergen eventually admitted a mistake had been made. A spokesman said: "When the customer transferred their account to a new supplier the reading that was taken was incorrect so that's why they've received this huge bill.

"We have contacted the customer today to let them know about the mistake and we have put the correct meter reading through our system.

"We will make sure the situation is resolved to her satisfaction and ensure she does not incur any bank charges."