UNDER FIRE gas bosses have drafted in extra staff to help with a meter-reading blitz, after being swamped by complaints from furious customers.

And officials have set up a freephone telephone line to reassure householders about callers at their door, amid fears that the scheme could prompt a spate of thefts by bogus officials.

British Gas have acted after it was revealed a new billing system have prompted 15,000 phone calls a day.

Gas watchdogs revealed that customers, unhappy about estimated bills and inaccurate readings, had made 1,200 complaints since April against British Gas Trading, which covers the North West. Gas bosses hope to complete the national meter-reading blitz by September 30 and have recruited outside agency staff to help with the workload. British Gas spokesman Alan Dixon, said: "We try to read people's meters every six months anyway, but we do have a lot of problems with people being out at work.

"Estimated bills are based on the history of gas consumption of the customer, which is easy if people have been in the property for a long time, but is more difficult if people have just moved.

"We hope this national programme will make things better for us and better for the customers."

Customers who are unsure about an unfamiliar face at their door can check on the meter reader's identity by telephoning 0800 365 8000.

Any customer who wants to ring in their own meter reading can do so on 0800 138 8080.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "If a householder is any doubt about the person at their door saying they are from British Gas, they should make use of the freephone service or, in an emergency, contact the police direct."

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