A PENSIONER returned from a shopping trip to find she had been locked out of her flat by British Gas following a mix-up.

Jean Llewellyn, 73, had popped out for an hour to do her shopping but when she returned she found her flat in Anson House, Thornaby, Teesside, had been broken into and the locks changed.

Reduced to tears, Mrs Llewellyn had no money to make a phone call and no access to her medication.

Fortunately, nearby Stockton Borough Council offices were open and she received help from officers there.

Mrs Llewellyn, who had only been living in the flat for six days at the time of the mix-up, said: "I have never owed money in my life and even now I still feel traumatised and worried about going out."

The mix-up began after British Gas had spent months chasing the previous tenant for money they owed.

A disconnection notice was already in place on the flat when Mrs Llewellyn moved in and, although she contacted the company to say she had since moved in, British Gas did not receive the documentation in time to prevent the disconnection.

Paula Shields, British Gas spokeswoman said: "British Gas are very sorry Mrs Llewellyn was left without gas when her meter was removed because of a previous tenant's debt.

"However, thanks to the council, we received the necessary information and were able to connect Mrs Llewellyn the same day.

"When setting up a new account we have to follow strict guidelines and this requires three forms of identification, including the proof of tenancy and a credit check, if the customer has not held an account with us previously.

"Unfortunately, we did not receive this information in time. This incident highlights the importance of sending the necessary documentation as soon as it is requested."