A WOMAN who says she is committed to saving energy is baffled her gas bill is the highest it has ever been. To cut costs Kerry Baker of Medcalfe Way in Melbourn, uses an electric cooker, has insulated walls and loft, and has double glazing. But to her a

A WOMAN who says she is committed to saving energy is baffled her gas bill is the highest it has ever been.

To cut costs Kerry Baker of Medcalfe Way in Melbourn, uses an electric cooker, has insulated walls and loft, and has double glazing.

But to her amazement her recent gas bills have been double what she had been paying.

Originally, mother of three Mrs Baker was used to paying quarterly bills of approximately £60, but has seen that figure rise to £130 and because of the increase, she now owes the company money.

The problem has escalated over the past 18 months, and Mrs Baker believes that there must be a fault with the meter.

She said: "This has been an ongoing saga that just keeps getting worse. British Gas just don't want to help - all they want is my money.

"My house's gas consumption on the bill is too high. There is no way it should be that much.

"I have written to British Gas and queried it. But I haven't had a personal response from them, all I've had is demands for money and threats to turn off the gas."

When British Gas did send someone out, Mrs Baker was at work.

But she says instead of calling back or arranging another date, the company's representative came in and spoke to two of Mrs Baker's children, who are 12 and 16.

She said: "I cannot believe he discussed the situation with my children.

"They should never enter the house if the owner isn't there."

Mrs Baker is now waiting for British Gas to visit her property and check her meter - at a cost of £40.

She said: "I can't believe I have to pay for something that may be their fault. I'm so cross about the whole situation and it has worried me sick. I've been a customer for 25 years and the way I have been treated is terrible.

"I don't feel like I have been given any care or customer respect. I have not been treated like an individual.

"If they had addressed the problem when it first arose, we wouldn't be dealing with this now.

"If I'm using the gas then fair enough - I just want to know.

"But after all the measures I have gone to in order to keep costs down, I really don't think that I am.

"I want to make a stand for the right to complain over a lack of customer satisfaction."

British Gas was unable to answer The Crow's questions about Mrs Baker's situation.