A MAN is challenging British Gas after his new pay-as-you-go- meter swallowed £85 in just a fortnight.
Peter Robinson, 39, of Batley Street, Moldgreen, said: "All we have got is central heating on gas. We are ploughing money in like it's going out of fashion.
"Somebody is either feeding off the property or there's something wrong with the meter."
Mr Robinson, a bus driver, had the meter installed at the end of last month.
The meter has a swipe card, which can be topped up at local shops.
On the first day he put on £5. He put a further £20 on the Friday and another £20 on the Sunday.
"We have an electric cooker. Everything except the central heating is on electric.
"The central heating is on very, very low, as it is every night when we go to bed.
"British Gas are not willing to compromise or send someone over to sort this problem out.
"If nothing is done sharpish I'm going to get in touch with TV's Watchdog programme and the national newspapers.
"If nothing's done I'll switch service providers.
"I'm going to fight all the way and get it sorted."
A British Gas spokesman said the company had been in touch.
She added: "From the meter readings we have looked at he must be consuming that gas."
The spokeswoman said Mr Robinson's bill for the last fortnight was probably closer to £48.
She added that recent weeks had been very cold.
And she said the gas company was recommending that Mr Robinson call their energy efficiency line.
