A GAS bill sent in error was cancelled in time for Christmas after the SNJ intervened.

Lab technician Gavin Tasker was stunned when he received a bill for £81.12 from British Gas despite not having a single gas appliance on his property.

Gavin, 68, made numerous calls to explain the mistake but felt he was getting nowhere and contacted the SNJ.

He moved into his bungalow in Elmlea Road, King’s Stanley in 2001 with his wife Liz and in that time they have not had any gas appliances on the premises.

The couple only use electricity and around three years ago switched their supply from British Gas to OVO.

Gavin, who used to run Thrupp Cattery, had his unused gas metre removed in October.

“I was absolutely stunned when the gas bill arrived as we have never had gas appliances in the house,” he said.

“I made numerous calls to try and get the issue resolved but the operators at British Gas kept telling me I had to pay. I started paying in £10 monthly instalments but it did not seem right.”

The SNJ contacted British Gas on the couple’s behalf and after an investigation the bill was cancelled.

Catrin Millar of British Gas said: “I am sorry that we sent Mr Tasker a bill for his gas supply in error. We have contacted Mr Tasker to apologise and to explain he has nothing to pay.”

Gavin said: “This is a great result I cannot thank the SNJ enough. We were able to cook our turkey in the electric oven safe in the knowledge we weren’t going to get a gas bill.”