At first, 65-year-old Marie Day was confused when telephone provider Pipex cancelled her account without warning or explanation last month.

But her confusion soon turned to astonishment when her 37-year-old son, Gary, contacted the company on his mobile phone to find out why the line had been suddenly stopped.

Mrs Day, of Birchfield Road East, Abington, said: "They told him they had had a letter saying the account holder was deceased and they were sending a final bill.

"I was absolutely astounded and couldn't believe what I was hearing. I even went to the phone myself to assure them I was very much alive."

Mrs Day's line was reconnected a week later but after another three days, it was cut off again.

This time Pipex had no record of her account at all and said it would take 14 days to set up a new one, but Mrs Day was still without a phone three weeks later.

Eventually the carer and charity shop volunteer decided enough was enough and opened an account with a different provider last weekend.

She said: "At first, it was really quite an unnerving, traumatic experience.

"It has all been very strange but, despite what Pipex might think, I'm glad to say I'm still here and running around."

Pipex said it disconnected Mrs Day's supply after it was sent official notification of her death.

A spokeswoman said: "We received a death certificate and were contacted by the next of kin and executors and acted appropriately based on the information and documentation we had been given.

"We were also contacted on three separate occasions in connection with ceasing the line. We do apologise for any distress caused to Mrs Day and will investigate the matter further."