Michael and Catherine Hopcroft had waited at their Bristol home the night before for an engineer to call.

In the morning, they found a card from Wales & West Utilities on the doormat. Mr Hopcroft said: "Did they really think we would be up?

A company spokesman said they operate on a 24-hour basis.

I really couldn't believe it, I thought it was a joke Michael Hopcroft

The gas was first shut off at the couple's home as a precaution while workmen dug up the road outside to fix a gas leak.

They were told in the afternoon that the work had been completed and an engineer would visit shortly to reconnect the meter.

The couple waited up until 2300, and were amazed to find the "sorry we missed you" calling card left in the night.

"I really couldn't believe it, I thought it was a joke," said Mr Hopcroft.

A Wales & West Utilities spokesman said: "Unfortunately, due to a high number of emergency situations which were reported that evening, we were unable to keep to the agreed time slot.

"As our business operates on a 24-hour basis, our engineers did return to the property once the emergency situations had been dealt with."

The gas was reconnected the next day.