FOLLOWING the report (LET, May 15) about a mother who had "paid someone £5 to replace her pay-for-use gas meter with one that by-passed the system," I would warn readers never to be tempted into doing this, whatever the circumstances.

Five pounds may seem cheap at the price, but what cost a fine, a court appearance, or even an explosion, possibly destroying property and hurting family and neighbours? It is extremely dangerous to by-pass a gas meter and anyone offering to do this for a payment will be a crook.

With the deregulation of the gas market, there are now many companies supplying gas to customers, but work on meters is not usually required.

Only Transco, the company responsible for gas distribution and safety, has authority to change or install meters for our customers and only qualified gas engineers can work on a live gas supply -otherwise it is illegal.

We understand that some people may have difficulty paying their bills. British Gas customers with a bill problem are urged to contact us, so that we can work out a solution.

COLLETTE HANDLEY, British Gas, Gould Street, Manchester M4.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.