A furious widow has had to wait five weeks for Thames Water to come and inspect a suspected leak.

And to compound the misery for Tracy Jarvis, of Fern Hill Road, Cowley, Oxford, the company told her that the only date they can visit is September 29, the anniversary of her husband Mike's death.

Tracy, 39, who has a debilitating fatigue illness, has also had problems with her bills from Thames Water.

Three separate debt collection agencies have got involved for a bill she has already paid.

She said: "I phoned Thames Water two months ago to query my bill - it appeared that I was using the same amount of water just for me as Mike and I were using when he was alive. I thought it was a bit strange.

"They said that I should do a water test - not use water for an hour and take a reading before and after - which I did. The amount had changed so there must be a leak somewhere.

"They said that I would get a call to arrange an appointment. It was two weeks before I got that phone call.

"I also asked if I could change the date, as it's the anniversary of Mike's passing. I was then told I had to ring the contractors myself.

"I have made countless phone calls trying to get it sorted and I just feel like I have been banging my head against a brick wall.

"I've already spent £20 in phone credit and so I can't afford to phone any more."

Mrs Jarvis said the problems with Thames Water had been preying on her mind.

She said: "I don't have a lot of money coming in, because I have fibromyalgia, which is chronic fatigue, and can only work two-and-a-half hours a day. Every penny is precious.

"Thames Water taking so long to come out means I am paying more than I should be and I just can't afford it.

"I have trouble sleeping at night worrying about it."

Mrs Jarvis was featured in the Oxford Mail in February after her husband died due to heavy drinking. She had looked after him for more than a year and spoke out about the lack of support available to the families of alcoholics.

She added: "No-one at Thames Water seems to want to listen or help."

Robin Markwell, spokesman for Thames Water, said: "Mrs Jarvis's water consumption is less than the amount that we would expect from one person.

"We are sending someone round to look at her house. If we discover a leak, we will deduct an amount from her bill accordingly.

"We are very sorry that the date we had arranged was not suitable. We have rearranged the visit, bringing the date forward."