UTILITY firm Scottish Power has launched an investigation after an employee was accused of using illegal selling tactics.

Disabled pensioner Josie Collins claims she was tricked into signing a form to change her gas and electricity supplier to the firm by a salesman.

She says he was getting pensioners to sign a form he claimed entitled them to new government fuel payments.

But Ms Collins, from Darlington, later received a letter welcoming her to Scottish Power as a gas and electricity customer.

The firm has vowed to sack the employee if its investigation concludes that the allegations are true, and apologised to Ms Collins.

Ms Collins said the man called about two weeks ago, but it was not until late last week when doubts which had started to form in her mind were realised and the letter arrived.

She said: "I didn't want to go to Scottish Power. I had no intention of changing to another company.

"I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I feel ashamed."

A spokesman for Scottish Power said: "We have launched a full investigation into this case.

"If it is found that he has used that sales tactic, then we will terminate his employment."