A GRIEVING son has said receiving a massive gas bill for his mother’s flat six months after her death feels like something from a bad comedy show.

Stuart Bower has criticised the “stupidity and incompetence” of British Gas for billing his mother’s address for more than £780 despite her passing.

Mr Bower, of Hallyburton Road, in Hove, said he is now concerned how many more Sussex families may suffer the same indignity as well as elderly residents who may also be wrongly billed.

The former Sussex Police officer said British Gas billed his mother for more gas used in one month than she had used in a year while still living at her home in Withdean Avenue in Goring.

The energy giant has now apologised to Mr Bower and said it offered him a “gesture of goodwill” although Mr Bower said he was still awaiting that offer.

His mother Francis Bower died on September 21 and her son promptly sent British Gas a death certificate and grant of probate.

A final bill, refunding an overpayment of more than £1,000, was sent out on February 14.

However, the firm also sent out a bill dated February 14 claiming Mrs Bower owed the company £0.00 for gas used from September 30, more than a week after her death, and October 22.

A second bill dated February claimed she had used £787.10 between September 30 and November 5.

Mr Bower said: “Knowing that my mother was dead, British Gas is claiming she uses more gas in one month than she used in an entire year when she was alive.

“It’s like something from the Monty Python dead parrot sketch, how can I get it through to British Gas that my mother is dead, that she is dear departed and shuffled off this mortal coil.

“Much as I can let my gallows’ sense of humour come in to play, other people may be badly affected by such stupidity and incompetence.

“I am worried that many more frail and elderly people maybe victim of such incompetent billing.”

Phil Hall of British Gas said: “When Mr Bower told us of his mother’s death, we updated the account straight away.

“Unfortunately, we also sent a bill the same day because our systems didn’t immediately update.

“We made further errors with this account, we’ve apologised to Mr Bower for any distress we’ve caused and offered a gesture of goodwill.”