Gas and electricity consumers in Bradford are being unfairly prevented from switching supplier, according to the industry watchdog energywatch.

It says it is taking hundreds of complaints from consumers who want to switch, but find their current supplier is blocking the transfer for no apparent reason. Transfers can only be objected to if there is an existing debt, or if the transfer is trying to take place without the statutory 28 days' notice.

Energywatch North East director Carole Pitkeathley said: "For hundreds of thousands of consumers switching supplier is an easy process.

''Sadly, this is not the case for all consumers. And for those whose supply doesn't transfer, money is lost by having to pay for their energy on a higher rate. These blocked transfers usually occur through company inefficiency and bureaucracy gone mad - although cynics may also wonder if there might be other reasons."

Pensioners Beryl and Robert Chiddey, of Wyke, were told their switch from Yorkshire Electricity to Staywarm could not be completed as they had an outstanding bill of £0.00.

The couple received two letters saying the transfer of their electricity supply could not be done - despite receiving an apology about the error in the meantime.

"It took a long, long time to resolve," said Mrs Chiddey. The couple's supply has now been switched.

Mrs Pitkeathley said: "We have resolved complaints from consumers who have tried to switch supplier for up to a year, and even some who have had their transfer objected to up to eight times. The excuses we hear are usually that it is 'a technical error', 'an administrative error' and even 'several administrative errors within our customer transfer infrastructure'. On one occasion it was because the consumer owed £1.84. None of these excuses is good enough.''