Jo Roberts was owed the money after having a pre-pay meter removed from her home in Merseyside.

There was �156 credit on the meter, but despite phone calls to British Gas, Ms Roberts failed to get a refund until energywatch North West stepped in.

British Gas has "sincerely apologised" to Ms Roberts and said it was a "highly unusual" situation.

'Made a mockery'

Ms Roberts, who is disabled with four children, asked energywatch for help when numerous calls to British Gas failed to secure a refund.

But within 10 days of energywatch intervening, she was sent a cheque for the full amount.

She said: "I kept getting bills that told me I was �153 in credit. So I'd ring up and ask them for the money.

"They would tell me that it was a computer error, that I was wrong, that I owed them money."

energywatch North West Director, David Sidebottom, said, the situation "made a mockery" of British Gas's new "Doing The Right Thing" advertising campaign.

'Fell through net'

He said: "If this is doing the right thing, I'd hate to see British Gas doing the wrong thing.

"Energywatch North West and consumers want to see first rate service, not flashy billboards.

"Most consumers would prefer a refund, a bill or even a meter reading on time."

A spokesman for British Gas said: "We have sincerely apologised to Miss Roberts and issued a refund to her in October last year.

"However, this is a very unusual situation and in no way reflects on our usual standard of service. There is no doubt that Miss Roberts fell through the net."