A FURIOUS father has withheld part of a household bill to cover the inconvenience caused by British Gas - as he tried to pay it.

David Holgate claims he faced weeks of torment as attempts were made to "force" him into joining their monthly payment plan.

Mr Holgate of Gloucester Road, Rishton, had been paying quarterly bills by direct debit for 12 months when the company said they had been unable to collect the latest payment.

He said: "What followed was a deliberate attempt to force me into accepting their new payment scheme.

"I got a letter saying British Gas had been unable to take the money because the bank needed a new direct debit instruction. Yet I checked with the bank and the instruction still stood."

Mr Holgate then received notice that his supply would be cut off for non-payment and an unsolicited note "thanking" him for applying to join the Gas Payment Plan.

He added: "I had never asked to join the plan. My wife was very worried when they threatened to cut off the supply and I tried more than 50 times without success to contact them."

Now Mr Holgate has cancelled the original direct debit instruction and sent the company a cheque for £192 - £30 less than the outstanding bill.

He said: "As I had to endure the frustration and cost of trying to get through to staff by telephone, the sheer waste of time and effort, postage and the unwarranted threat hanging over myself and my family that we may be disconnected, I feel it only fair and equitable to deduct a sum in recompense."

British Gas have promised to investigate Mr Holgate's case and have apologised.

A spokesman said: " A computer inputter fed in wrong details. If Mr Holgate wishes to continue with the quarterly payments he can. We would be willing to discuss any claims to compensation he might have."

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