A worcestershire single mum who has two children with special needs is delighted after winning a six-month battle with British Gas.

Skye Baxter, of Avon Street, Evesham, had been in dispute over her payments record with the energy firm since November. It had threatened to disconnect her electricity supply and even send bailiffs into her home.

To make matters worse, British Gas took £40 from the 48-year-old's bank account through a direct debit she claimed was set up without her permission.

But now she is delighted after British Gas accepted full responsibility for its errors and apologised. It contacted her after the story appeared in our sister paper, the Evesham Journal, on May 10, agreeing to refund the money, including £10 extra to cover the cost of the phone calls she made.

"I am relieved it's all over, that somebody has finally admitted they were in the wrong," said Mrs Baxter.

She received a call from the company's customer relations department just two days after her story appeared in the Evesham Journal and was told the matter would be thoroughly investigated. Mrs Baxter was not convinced this would make a difference as she said she had heard it all before. But then she received another call a few days later and was told the good news after the firm was was unable to trace any evidence of her agreeing to a second direct debit being set up. She said "It's a shame I had to go to such extreme lengths to get through to British Gas. But at last, they have said they're sorry."

She has since switched to Scottish Power.