A POWER company has apologised to a pensioner who was bombarded with more than 20 bills and threatened with bailiffs after a mistake in its computer system.

Raymond Ainsley, of Darlington, complained every time Npower sent demands to his house - but the letters kept coming for more than a year-and-a-half.

And the company admitted last night that the bills had been sent to the wrong address.

"I have lived in the same house for more than 40 years and I have no idea who the person is who the bills are addressed to," said Mr Ainsley, of Harris Street, in the Eastbourne area of the town.

"They threatened to send bailiffs round to this person's house - but he doesn't live here, I do.

"I got the letter the day before I went on holiday. I was terrified that they would come to my house and take everything I own while I was away.

"I have never had an Npower account.

"I feel like I have been knocking my head against a brick wall trying to explain this to them. I have no idea how many times I have phoned them about this. I am retired, but this has been like a full-time job. I explain to them every time what the problem is, but nothing is ever done."

He added: "They must still have a name on their computer somewhere because the letters keep coming. No one at Npower has ever explained why this happened."

A spokeswoman for Npower said: "We were sorry to hear about the problems Mr Ainsley has experienced with Npower. It is clear that some mistakes have been made and for those we apologise. The problem has occurred when his property was registered in another name for energy from Npower.

"We did not correct the information when contacted and therefore the letters carried on being sent.

"We have now corrected all information and Mr Ainsley will not receive any more bills."

The spokeswoman added that Mr Ainsley has been offered £185 in compensation.