A PUBLICAN, who battled with his water company over a £37,000 bill, returned home from holiday to find an electricity bill for £15,000.

Shannon Wells, who owns the Red Lion, in Overton, was shocked to discover the huge water bill in July this year, which was more than five times what he expected.

After months of correspondence with Southern Water, he finally sorted out the problem, which he was told resulted from a leak in his supply pipe.

But just a few months later, the 40-year-old received a letter from British Gas informing him that £12,000 would be taken out of his account for electricity.

Mr Wells complained to British Gas but was stunned when just over a week later they sent another letter informing him that £3,000 had been added to the bill, increasing it to £15,000.

He said: “There is no explanation as to why this has happened. While I have been away on holiday, this letter has come through to say I owe more money. It says the money is going to come out of my bank account.

“I’m pretty annoyed and frustrated to say the least.”

The father-of-two had just finished paying off the water bill last month, after negotiating it down to £15,000.

He was told it was his responsibility to fix the leak, but said that contractors hired to dig up his driveway had found no evidence of a leak, but replaced the supply pipe anyway.

The 40-year-old, who runs the Red Lion with his wife, said they will have to make cut backs over Christmas because of the £15,000 bill.

He added: “It’s out of my control and it’s a burden on my account. It means we won’t be able to employ an extra member of staff over Christmas. I will have to put my prices up.”

A spokeswoman from British Gas said Mr Wells had not been charged enough and so the amount had steadily added up. She said: “I am very sorry for the inconvenience we have caused Mr Wells. Due to a billing error Mr Wells built up a debit balance on his account. We are currently working with him to resolve the situation and find an amicable resolution.”