Power companies are acting irresponsibly in persuading some customers to change their suppliers.

The latest example comes in Eastbourne, where 79-year-old Ellen Simpson received a shock.

She was told by npower her husband had agreed earlier this month to change their supplier, even though he died almost two years ago.

Mrs Simpson was upset and distressed about this and her son has made a formal complaint to the energy watchdog.

Either npower has issued a contract without a signature or the signature cannot be that of her husband.

Stricter rules are needed to stop energy companies applying pressure though over-keen sales reps.

In the meantime, npower needs to investigate what went wrong in this case and apologise to Mrs Simpson.