HEARTBROKEN residents have been forced out of their dream homes only six weeks after moving in.

A 10-strong delegation -- including a family of four who have had to move upstairs after flash floods swamped new home -- asked Leigh MP Andy Burnham to help end their nightmare.

Waited

The Sharples family moved into Botesworth Close in Hindley six weeks ago having waited 18 months for their four-bedroom detached home to be completed.

Francis Sharples used his pension funds to buy the Persimmon Homes property on the new Hollins Park estate. He, his wife, Karen and their two daughters, aged 22 and 24, spent months choosing brand new furniture, carpets and interior for the house -- only to have their dreams shattered in one day.

The torrential downpours of June 14 left their home knee-deep in floodwater and the occupants with no option but to move out so the builders could move back in! They now have to find somewhere nearby to rent until their house is habitable again.

Francis said: "They have suggested we find somewhere else to live for at least six months, while the repair work is done. We are currently living upstairs in the house, but with no fridge or kitchen facilities. Our two dogs have had to be put into a pet home until the situation is sorted out."

The Sharples' property wasn't the only house affected, owners of a neighbouring property will also have to move out to allow for essential repairs, while three other houses on the street were lucky to escape with only garage flooding. Houses opposite, still to be completed, were also affected, as was Briar Close, an existing street on the other side of Hollins field.

The Sharples had just returned home at 5.30pm, to find water coming in from both the unfinished street and fields at the back of the house.

Francis said: "The water had already started pouring through the back door, the patio and the garage and was about four to five inches below the front door. But, by the time my daughter had grabbed some towels, the water was coming through the front door as well -- it moved that fast."

Water more than a foot deep soaked the entire ground floor of the house, destroying everything in its path including wooden floors, carpets, a new three piece suite, dining table and chairs, a music system and widescreen television.

Pulled out

Walls will have to be replastered and the fitted kitchen pulled out.

Karen said: "I'm very annoyed. I'm not blaming anyone -- not the council or Persimmons -- I just want everything rectified so we can move back in."

After contacting Persimmon Homes the Sharples and other residents approached Leigh MP Andy Burnham, who is in the process of arranging an urgent meeting with the developers.

Mr Burnham has promised to help solve the problem and has written to the heads of Persimmon Homes and water company United Utilities as well as Wigan's director of planning and development John Sloane.

Mr Burnham said: "This is terrible and I think we urgently need an analysis of the problem. Has there been a landslip or blockage? Why were the drains unable to cope? We have had sporadic problems but this was disastrous."

Derek Ryder of Persimmon Homes said: "Members of the Persimmon Team were on site immediately to deal with the situation.

"The flooding at the development had been caused by blocked drains off-site in Long Lane, for which Persimmon are not responsible.

"Persimmon take pride in building quality homes and we are sorry for any inconvenience the exceptional flash floods may have caused. We are working to minimise any further disruption caused to our residents."