Confused chicken farmer Bill Brown hoped he had laid his problems with electricity firm TXU Energi to rest when they came to read his meters.

Mr Brown, of Thorpe Road, Little Clacton, had complained to the company after he received estimated bills for his farm and house.

He wanted them checked but was amazed when he was told staff could not do them on the same day even though they are only a matter of inches apart.

Eventually, someone turned up, took the readings and promised that new bills would be sent out.

That was eight weeks ago and after five telephone calls asking where they were, Mr Brown was no nearer to settling his account.

Then, he got the shock of his life when he received a letter telling him that his bills were outstanding and if he did not pay up he would be disconnected and charged a £50 reconnection fee.

"I was clucking mad how could I settle an account when I had not even had the bill," he said.

"If I worked this way, I would be out of business by now. It's unbelievable. I am just lucky my hens are a bit more efficient than that lot at TXU."

Nick Lakin, a spokesman for Powergen which owns TXU Energi, said he was sorry Mr Brown had been messed about.

"We will be getting this sorted and I will be making it my top priority," he said.

Published Thursday, April 10, 2003