A 93-year-old disabled woman, whose gas supplier has changed several times in six months, received a £2,183 bill for just three weeks' supply.

The widowed pensioner, from Didcot, who asked not to be named, said the bill had caused her great anxiety and that she had been unable to sleep properly.

But the gas supplier, Southern Electric, has admitted a mistake was made and agreed to scrap the bill.

The woman, who suffers from osteoarthritis, lives alone in a one-bedroom flat which has gas central heating. Her gas bills are usually about £30 a month.

But she was charged £2,183 for 23 days' gas between March 11 and April 2.

The problem arose because her gas supplier had been changed several times. But she maintains she had wanted to stay with Powergen and cannot explain how the changes were made.

Southern Electric spokesman Julian Reeves apologised for the error and blamed an inaccurate meter reading, which was provided by the customer or someone on her behalf. Mr Reeves said the woman had switched gas suppliers several times in recent months and the charge was intended as a 'final bill' when she transferred to Powergen.

He said it was unclear how she came to be signed up to Southern Electric in March.

"We have also agreed to scrap the £30 she actually owed for the period she was with us," he said.