This letter went to EDF. It speaks for itself. Advice and opinions gladly received.

Dear Sirs,

In circumstances which warrant a complaint I would normally take the time to write a well-crafted, polite email; however, my patience is exhausted.We have had seven - yes SEVEN - power cuts since October. Seven power cuts in under three months? That's just plain wrong. You're not GIVING us any energy so I can only assume you are taking something and it's quite clear WHAT you're taking. In case you're in any doubt what I'm alluding to: you are taking my time, you are taking my money and you are taking the p*$$.

The situation is now beyond inconvenient. It appears we have entered a Dickensian age when I must live by open fire and candle-light, retiring to bed as darkness falls purely to conserve the little body heat I've managed to muster in the course of the evening whilst snow falls mercilessly to the ground outside to rob the last of the warmth from our energy-deprived homes.I would normally work at home of an evening, but this hasn't been possible. In the course of 7 power cuts I estimate I have lost some 35 working hours, chargeable at £35 an hour. Are you willing to recompense the £1225?

On phoning your customer services I am repeatedly told that there is a problem with a fuse'. May I refer you to the following website:http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/electricityworld/m ainselectricityrev1.shtml . It has a simple, easy to understand diagram of the National Grid and fuses. I imagine this would be invaluable to your engineers, whose exemplary training has apparently rendered them incapable of finding a permanent solution to the problem.In the meantime, please be good enough to answer the following questions for which I have conveniently included some multiple-choice answers lest there be any difficulty in forming a response.

1) The recurring problem with the energy supply is a) going to continue recurring and, in letting that happen, EDF energy are consequently agreeing to customers pursuing the matter through the small claims courts for loss of earnings and notifying BBC Watchdog and the Energy Ombudsman of EDF's incompetence and startling lack of professionalism. b) probably going to be sorted because EDF are looking into it and their engineers are giving it their every attention but, because no guarantees can be offered, the clause in answer 'a' still applies. c) going to be resolved swiftly,efficiently, and completely so as to cause no further disruption to energy supplies.

2) The householders who have been affected will: a) have to show some British grit and rally together (possibly huddling in a penguin-like manner in case of further power cuts), resulting in future fond reminiscences of the grim winter of '08/'09. b) receive a courteous but, frankly, superficial conciliatory letter of apology from EDF energy and will thus forward be expected to be content with the action taken, question nothing and resort to answer 'a'.c) receive, as a goodwill gesture, remuneration to recompense for: money spent on coal, batteries for torches, candles, petrol to the various places they have had to go to get hot showers, the additional electricity it has taken to heat their very cold houses back to a respectable temperature, and lost earnings for those who work, in part or full, from home.

I await your response,

Miss Watson