A COMPUTER cock-up at British Gas has left hundreds of Preston people fuming.

Angry customers trying to sort out problems with bills have complained the only telephone number given on gas bills is constantly engaged.

Cindy Knight, who lives off Garstang Road, rang British Gas 20 times in one day - and still did not get an answer.

She said: "The service is deplorable. Ever since I moved house British Gas has been taking too much in Direct Debit payments, sending me overdrawn at the bank.

"I've been trying to get it sorted out since February, but every time I ring up I can't get through.

"I even wrote to them three weeks ago but they haven't bothered to reply. I've now complained to the Gas Consumers Council and they're trying to sort it out."

Newlyweds Belinda and Paul Moss moved into their new home in Tag Lane, Ingol in April, but British Gas are demanding £87 for March - before the couple got the keys to the house.

"I've tried for a month to get through, but the line's always engaged," fumed Belinda.

"One week I spent every lunch-hour ringing them without success. I've rung them dozens of times since."

John Jessop, for British Gas Home Energy, blamed a new computer billing system which had created thousands of complaints: "We have hundreds of staff working in our Manchester offices taking thousands of calls a day, but we are aware many customers are not managing to get through.

"We apologise to everyone having such problems and we are determined to solve them as quickly as possible."

A spokeswoman for the Gas Consumers Council said it had been inundated with complaints from people unable to get through to British Gas' account enquiry number.

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