AN ENERGY company was last night slated for "shocking and unethical" sales tactics after dozens of complaints from North-East customers. Representatives working for Southern Electric are alleged to have tricked their way into homes by claiming to be from an independent agency investigating high utility bills.

Householders claim the callers ask to read their electricity meter and demand a signature to say it has been checked - but the form is actually a contract to switch supplier.

More than 100 householders from across the North-East have complained to energywatch in the last fortnight and watchdog Ofgem is now investigating.

Carole Pitkeathly, director of energywatch NE, said: "This is appalling. Energywatch will not tolerate these totally shocking and unethical sales tactics.

"Many of the consumers who have contacted energywatch are elderly and have been very distressed about a stranger entering their home in this way. This is totally unacceptable."

Denise Balmer, 31, from Peterlee, County Durham, was almost tricked changing supplier despite repeatedly seeking assurances from the rep that it was not a contract she was being asked to sign.

The mother-of-one said: "He acted like he was from the Government at first, all official, so that's why I didn't tell him I wasn't interested like I usually would.

"I was about to sign when I saw the name Southern Electric at the top of the form and showed him the door. He didn't know how fast to get out.

"The tactics they are using are really shocking."

Southern Electric spokesman Denis Kerby promised a full investigation into the complaints and insisted the reps, who are supplied by an outside agency, are not trained to secure new customers this way.

"I am absolutely horrified by these complaints, and we will not rest until this is sorted.

"This has gone to the very highest level of Southern Electric. It will be fully investigated and I imagine there will be some serious action taken.

"We have got strict scripts on what can and can't be said and pride ourselves on having the fewest complaints of all the energy suppliers in the UK.

"But these cases appear to be totally misleading and in some instances allegedly fraudulent so we need to get to the bottom of this."