MINCE pie production will soon be back on track at a Worcestershire catering firm - thanks to the intervention of the Evening News.

John Dunn, of Eaton Mess Patisserie, lost a major contract and had to lay off two members of staff after a series of blunders left him without an electricity supply.

British Gas has now admitted the problems were its responsibility and would offer compensation.

Mr Dunn said he was delighted and thanked the Evening News for helping him in his plight.

The trouble began when Mr Dunn started renting a unit at the Berry Hill Industrial Estate in Droitwich and installed £70,000 of machinery to make pie fillings.

He received bills from British Gas and npower, yet neither company had come to connect the machines.

"We are hoping to have our connection up and running as soon as possible now," said Mr Dunn.

"It's a shame because it looks like it will be too late for Christmas, but hopefully we will be back in operation in the New Year.

"It's probably cost us £50,000 plus £10,000 in buying fruit topping in, rather than making it ourselves."

A spokesman for British Gas said the company apologised and would offer compensation.

"The bills were not his responsibility", he said.

"He's told us he is sending us an invoice for £60,000 due to loss of earnings because of the loss of the electricity supply.

"We are saying that if he wants to present that to us as a case, we will look at it."

The spokesman said the connection of electricity at his new unit was not down to npower, but admitted it was the responsibility of British Gas.

"We will now fast-track that connection as quickly as possible and apologise for the inconvenience.

"It shouldn't have taken as long as it did to resolve this but I think we have now got to the root of it."

A spokeswoman for npower said she was glad the matter was being sorted out.

"We're happy that the root cause has been uncovered and we will be talking with Mr Dunn to see whether he wants us to supply his electricity."