By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 05:19, Friday, 09 May 2008

A WIGTON pensioner yesterday received an apology from an electricity supplier after The Cumberland News stepped in when bills for more than £1,000 gave her sleepless nights.

Eighty-year-old Mary Solomon kept her household appliances turned off and spent nights sitting in a cold house – but still received electricity bills for £1,125 in just three months.

The bills came from electricity providers E.ON UK.

Mrs Soloman said: “I have psoriasis, high blood pressure and all sorts of other things. The worry of all this is making it worse.”

Her problems began in January when she received a bill for £330 – much higher than the £130 per quarter she was used to paying.

But after paying it, she was then hit with two further bills in February totalling an extra £795.

“They are saying I’m using a tremendous amount. But since February I’ve knocked everything off and I’ve been living in a cold house.

“I don’t know what to do for the best.”

Despite enlisting the help of the Citizens Advice Bureau and attempting to get legal help, Mrs Solomon said E.ON threatened to cut off her electricity supply unless she paid up.

Now, after The Cumberland News made enquiries about the bills, E.ON have admitted they got it wrong.

A spokeswoman said some of the bills were based on estimates and others on meter readings, adding that some were “generated in error”.

She said: “However, after updating the account further the outstanding amount is actually £296 and an amended bill is in the post.

“We've offered our sincere apologies for any upset this may have caused.”

Mary Heslam, chairwoman of Wigton Age Concern, said elderly people could be frightened by large utilities bills.

“My husband and I have been in that situation. We once had an electric bill for £1,700.

“But if people come down to Age Concern we will put them in contact with someone who can help.”

Wigton Age Concern meets on Thursday mornings at the Wigton Community Centre. One morning a month, an officer from Age Concern Welfare is available at the meetings to help elderly people with issues such as bills.

Call Age Concern North West Cumbria for details of the officer’s next visit on 01946 66669.