BRICKBAT of the week goes to Thorntons, for truly appalling service.

They might make good chocolates but their attempts at delivering them are absolute rubbish. Mistake upon mistake. Confusion, broken promises and ignored telephone calls.

Three weeks ago, Paul Emmerson of J & C Coaches in Newton Aycliffe won our Bouquet of the Week for super service. Thinking he was more of a chocs than a flowers man, we went on-line to Thorntons.

The website froze, but no matter, we rang the helpline and ordered there - and had to pay extra for the privilege. This was Thursday, September 26. The chocolates, we were told, would be delivered on Monday 30 or Tuesday, October 1.

They weren't.

I rang Thorntons again.

Their helpline was down. I rang another number and left details.

As this was a Press matter, I also rang their Press Office. The lady there promised to sort it out and come back to me.

She didn't.

I e-mailed Thorntons.

"We always answer our e-mails," I was told later.

They didn't.

On Friday, October 11, I had my credit card bill and saw that Thorntons had taken payment on September 26. But the chocolates still hadn't arrived.

That was because the lady had written down the date for delivery for the year 2009. Yes, 2009, I discovered when I rang, again.

A mistake. Mistakes happen.

No matter, I was told. The chocolates would be delivered on Monday.

They weren't.

On Tuesday I rang again. A very apologetic lady rang me back. The chocolates were on the van.

They would be delivered that day. They would send Paul Emmerson another little box of chocolates to say sorry.

They haven't.

So finally, on Wednesday - steam coming out of my ears - I spoke to yet another very nice, apologetic man. Someone would come back to me, he said.

They haven't.

"Unless someone sorts this out immediately, I shall write at great length in The Northern Echo telling people not to use Thorntons delivery service," I said.

And I do as I say. Unlike Thorntons.

As I write this, Paul Emmerson - who is understandably very fed up - still hasn't got his chocolates. Thorntons still haven't come back and said what they're going to do about it. At this rate it probably will be 2009 before they do.

So next time you want to give someone a treat, forget chocolates. Send flowers instead.