AN energy provider that cut hundreds of North-East jobs has been criticised for its poor customer service.

Npower finished bottom on the annual Which? survey.

Last year, the company announced about 430 people at its headquarters in Rainton Bridge, Houghton le Spring faced redundancy.

Its offices in Thornaby and Peterlee were also affected as hundreds of jobs went to India.

According to the Which? poll, the npower's rivals British Gas, EDF Energy, EON, ScottishPower and SSE have also received criticism for their customer service.

The survey of more than 3,500 consumers gave Npower a score of 57 per cent, replacing last year's lowest scoring firm Ryanair at the foot of the figures.

Second from bottom was Scottish Power, with a customer rating of 58 per cent.

Consumers highlighted automated phone systems, annoying hold music, rude staff and long queues as main gripes.

Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said: "The big six energy companies have now hit rock bottom for customer service and it's clear just how far they still have to go to put things right.

"This should be a wake-up call."

Earlier this year, Npower revealed fewer complusory redundancies were being made after a large number of workers opted to take voluntary pay-offs.

It said the number of people opting for voluntary redundancy at its Thornaby offices had been higher than anticipated.

All employees at Thornaby were offered roles in Rainton, however, the majority opted for voluntary redundancy.

Npower added about 100 employees remained with the company and moved to Rainton, with the company providing a shuttle bus service for those affected for the next three years.