A domestic gas bill sparked shock and anger when the charges exploded past the £4,000 mark.

Householders have been warned about rising fuel costs, but a Haverfordwest resident was astounded to receive a Swalec statement telling her she had used over £4,000 worth of gas since her last reading.

Ada Blake was stunned by the amount, which was based on an estimated reading, and immediately called the company to question it.

She said: “You can imagine the scare it gave me. It was quite a shock.

“The person who made out the bill should have realised it was too much.”

The 79-year-old, who normally pays a set monthly amount by direct debit, climbed up to see the metre reading for herself.

She said: “I know prices have gone up, and expected it to be more this quarter, but I had worked out I owed them about £32 more, not £4,000.

“This is not acceptable.

“I don’t know how they could have made such a big bloomer.

“They have sorted it out now, but it should not happen in the first place.”

Mrs Blake added: “I’ve always been in credit and was not expecting anything like this. I had been away for a bit and knew I couldn’t have used that much.”

She now wants to warn others to check their bills and statements, as if charges go unquestioned the money will automatically be taken out of their account.

She said: “People need to be aware of their bills and check them thoroughly.” Mrs Blake is now waiting to receive an amended bill from the company.