AN ELDERLY man with heart problems was left badly shaken after receiving an incorrect electricity bill for nearly £2,000.

And another York pensioner said she could not cope any more after being sent electricity bills from Independent energy (IE) despite only ever using them for her gas supply.

Sidney Redin, 82, and Sylvia Briggs, 79, both contacted the Evening Press after reading about shopkeeper Trevor Fenwick, who received 20 incorrect bills from IE for amounts totalling £30,000 in just 18 months.

Mr Redin, of Hull Road, joined the company in November.

He was stunned to discover his first quarterly bill amounted to £1,840 after returning from a holiday in April.

"When I looked at the bill I felt sick and was very upset about it," he said. "I haven't got any spare cash. I've got slight heart problems and it really shook me. I had one night when I couldn't sleep because of it all. I just couldn't believe it. I really thought I would have to pay the money."

Mr Redin's son contacted IE who admitted a mistake had been made due to a computer error.

They sent the shaken pensioner a cheque for £40 as compensation.

Last August, Sylvia Briggs, of Tang Hall Lane, switched from IE who provided her gas supply, to Northern Electric who now provide a dual gas and electricity service.

But IE keep sending her electricity bills and have even threatened to cut her off.

The distressed pensioner said on February 14 she was sent a bill for £83 and one the next day for £183. Last Friday a bill arrived for £283.

"I don't know which way to turn," she said. "It has been one long hassle and I can't cope with it anymore. They just keep passing me on. I live on my own and things are bad enough without this as well."

Mrs Briggs said she has received no apologies from IE.

"I'm sick of ringing them up to complain, my telephone bill will be enormous," she added. "You get these bills and your heart goes bonkers. You start shaking and you don't know what to do."

Northern Electric has told her to ignore the bills and letters.

Independent Energy was recently ordered to improve its customer service after an investigation by energy regulator Ofgem.

A spokesman for Independent Energy said: "We have experienced a number of billing problems and to date have resolved over 62 per cent of them. We are confident of resolving the majority of outstanding billing issues by the end of June."