A voluntary service worker has complained to gas watchdog OFGAS after a billing company took her on to its books even though she did not sign a contract giving her consent.

Heather Moore, 35, was flabbergasted when a letter from British Gas arrived at her home in Fernbank Road, Undercliffe, Bradford, saying it was sorry it had lost her custom to rivals Eastern Natural Gas.

Bemused, she rang Eastern Natural Gas who told her a Miss D. Connell living at the same address had signed for the transfer.

But Miss Moore had lived at the property for ten years.

And after further investigation by the company, Eastern Natural Gas admitted an administrative error had been made. Although she received assurances that her account would not be transferred Miss Moore lodged a formal complaint against the company with OFGAS.

She said: "Three different gas companies have been canvassing in the area in the last three week, but I signed nothing. I wouldn't even let them in my house.

"I'm just concerned it may happen again. Not everyone is strong enough to do something about it."

An OFGAS spokesman said it was carrying out an investigation into Eastern Natural Gas sales techniques.

The spokesman added: "More than 20,000 people a day are switching their gas supplier, and 1.5 million in total have taken gas from a new supplier.

"There will be, with a large movement like this, the odd administrative mistake. No system is 100 per cent accurate but you can understand this lady's frustration."

An Eastern Natural Gas spokesman said it appeared Miss Moore's transfer had been made through an administrative error.

The spokesman added: "It appears that we accidentally put in the wrong house number. It is clearly a mistake and we will endeavour to get it corrected and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.