Neighbours in a new housing development have a problem with their electricity bills - they haven't had any.

The residents in Old School Close, Osbaldwick, York, fear they could be landed with an unwelcome Christmas present in the form of a massive bill for all the power they have used since June.

Of three occupied houses only one has received bills from Northern Electric plc. The others have not been given reasons for the delay, except suggestions it involves their post code and a computer problem

Michelle Tunstall was worried because it was her first house and she had tried to run her budget by paying bills by direct debit.

She had a letter a month ago from the company's "new connections team leader", Terry Robertson, apologising for the delay.

He added: "Your new property is not yet on our systems or on the national records system MPRS.

"I can however confirm that we will set up your new premise and chosen payment method as soon as possible."

But no account number or bill has arrived.

Audrey Cripps said someone read her meter three weeks ago, but she had still not received a bill. "You feel they should be more efficient, it's such a large organisation," she said.

Mrs Tunstall said there had been no problems with other utilities. "It's not normal to get a company that doesn't want your money," she said. "It's not very good customer service at all."

But neighbour Sharon Darley said she managed to get the problem sorted out soon after moving in. "If mine is all right why isn't theirs? It's the same postcode," she said.

A spokesman for Northern Electric said a problem involving the company's computer system had affected a number of recently joined customers.It should be sorted out in the next few weeks.

Affected customers would be advised to spread payment of their bills to avoid any hardship, and anyone who experienced further problems should contact the company.

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