The mother of an ill baby has hit out at a major gas supplier for leaving her without power after heartless thieves stole her gas credit card.

Young mum Rebecca Whittaker, of Clayton, said she was unable to properly care for her 18-months-old daughter Caitlin Caddick, who has severe eczema, because she had no hot water, no heating and no cooking facilities.

"The house was so cold in the morning my daughter's lips had turned blue," said Miss Whittaker.

"I was also extremely concerned because Caitlin's skin has to be bathed every day because of her condition and I was really worried about her health."

Thieves broke into her home between 10pm on Saturday and 9.30am on Sunday and, apart from her purse, they stole money from her daughter's piggy bank.

A spokesman from West Yorkshire Police said: "Police are investigating the burglary of this young woman's home and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Bradford Central police station on (01274) 376259."

Miss Whittaker, 24, said she realised the gas supply had run out on Monday morning when she woke up and the house was cold.

"I didn't think it would be a problem because I am supposed to have a reserve emergency supply but that never came on," she said.

Miss Whittaker said when she contacted Npower's helpline on Bank Holiday Monday they told her there was nothing they could do and she would have to wait up to a week for a replacement card.

"I was furious, they even suggested it was my fault the card had been stolen in the first place," she said.

"I explained all the circumstances about Caitlin needing special care and they were completely unmoved."

She says that, after a number of telephone calls, Npower (formerly Yorkshire Electricity) employees arrived at Miss Whittaker's home at 9.45pm on Tuesday night and put £2 worth of emergency supply onto the meter.

"I was glad to get some response but a £2 supply was ridiculous," she said.

She said she was relieved when yesterday a new card arrived in the post.

A spokesman for Npower said: "We were contacted by Ms Whittaker on the morning of March 29 and a new pre-payment card was ordered immediately.

"The card was received the next afternoon within our usual time limit for delivery."

"We are investigating Ms Whittaker's concerns about the way her case was handled by a member of call centre staff and we will talk to her in more detail about her experience," said the spokesman.