Blind woman's electricity stopped after bill error

Ovo said there had been a meter error

A blind woman from Devon was left in the "pitch black and freezing cold" after her electricity was cut off after she received a £36,000 bill sent in error.

Joanne Benwell received the invoice at the Plymouth flat where she has lived for about two years.

She said it was "difficult enough" living with a disability and having a child without the "stress" being cut off had caused.

Ovo Energy said the incorrect bill and the cutting-off of the supply were "unrelated". After the BBC got in touch, the firm said there had been a meter error and switched her supply back on.

Ms Benwell said: "It really was a bit of a stressful few days, the flat was pitch dark and freezing cold.

"Unfortunately I was left in a bit of a situation.

"But all's well that ends well and all's back as it should be.

"They've retracted the bill and thankfully they came through in the end."

OVO Energy said Ms Benwell's meter had been incorrectly switched to Pay As You Go due to an "agent error" and this had been corrected.