Nicola Griffin recently had a lump removed from her breast - but when the mother-of-three returned home in Ascot Way last month she found her house's electricity supply was soon to run out.

The 36-year-old normally buys 'top-up' tokens at the Co-op in Coventry Road, but because utility company E.ON were changing the area's meter systems, the shop was no longer selling them.

Miss Griffin, whose elderly neighbour was in the same situation, said she has called E.ON several times during the past month, but the problem has still not been dealt with.

She said: "We are having so much trouble with them. I am really frustrated - I have had to shout over the phone to get them to agree to come."

Miss Griffin said on one of the occasions she called E.ON, a representative told her she could buy tokens from a store in Long Itchington, three miles from her home.

When she explained she did not drive and was recovering from an operation, she said the representative suggested she walk.

She said: "I'm still painful after the operation and supposed to be resting. They won't even make an emergency call-out. I just hope it doesn't get too cold."

An E.ON representative is due to upgrade Miss Griffith's meter on Wednesday.

Following a query from the Courier this week, the company agreed to send her some tokens to enable her to use electricity until then.

A spokeswoman for E.ON said: "We have spoken to Miss Griffin to apologise for the inconvenience this matter has caused.

"We currently have a programme in place to update traditional pre-payment token meters to more modern key meters.

"While stocks of tokens will gradually be withdrawn in the area, there should always be a stockist within reach.

"We suggest anyone having similar issues contact us directly by calling the number on their statement, as we are able to send out tokens by post."