AN ELDERLY York couple have slammed British Gas for sending them a gas bill for more than £1,300 - even though they switched suppliers three years ago.

Harold Amos, 76, and his wife, Dorothy, 72, changed from British Gas to Stay Warm, with all their bills paid up to date.

But British Gas have sent the couple demands for money since February, including one dated June 14 asking for £1,314.96.

The couple, of Green Lane, Acomb, now fear they could face court action if they do not pay up - despite being assured by British Gas by telephone that they do not owe anything.

Mrs Amos, who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, said she has spent days on the phone to British Gas without making progress.

She said: "I think they should be put to shame, a company who can send things like this to people of our age in our condition, asking for all that money and threaten us with court proceedings.

"Fortunately I am still able to cope to a certain extent, but it is very upsetting, annoying and worrying."

Mr and Mrs Amos say that a condition laid out by Stay Warm before they were accepted by the company was that they owed no outstanding debts to their previous suppliers, British Gas. All bills had been paid up to date.

Mr Amos said he paid one of the bills for £12 out of desperation, but the cheque was returned by the debt collectors

He said: "I've got enough problems to deal with. I feel helpless, I can't do anything.

"We've rung them up (British Gas) and been told we don't owe anything and to have a nice day. That's very nice but it doesn't conclude anything - they're still sending the letters."

Paula Amos, British Gas spokeswoman, said: "We are very sorry that Mr and Mrs Amos received this large bill. We are currently investigating the matter but believe that meter details and readings during the time that they were our customers were inaccurate.

"Every effort is being made to rectify the problem but this could take some time. In the meantime we have put a hold on the account and will keep Mr and Mrs Amos up to date on our progress.

"We are confident that they do not owe us any money."

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, June 24, 2003