ROSS PARRY SYNDICATION: A man who threatened British Gas with court action following two years of disputes has been paid more than 2,000 pounds by the firm after he billed them for his time.

Fed-up Barry Payling, 59, was set to take the energy company to the County Court following claims they miscalculated his bills, sent debt collectors to his home for money he didn't owe and sent his mother a letter asking her to sign up with them - after she had died.

Barry, of Rotherham, South Yorks., says he logged every phone call he made and every letter he sent to British Gas during working hours, then billed them for his loss of earnings, and planned to demand the 2,108 pounds sum at court.

But Barry was left feeling "elated" after British Gas sent him a cheque for the same figure.

Sara Powell-Davies, from British Gas, confirmed Barry has received an "ex-gratia" payment.

British Gas has "worked hard" to improve its customer services over the last two years, she added.