AN investigation has been launched into delays in delivery of kitchens from the Blackburn branch of one of Britain's biggest stores after angry readers contacted the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

The Evening Telegraph was inundated with calls from fed up Currys customers after they read about about Rishton teacher Joan Hurst's bid for compensation from the firm after a five month wait for her new kitchen from the store on Whitebirk Drive.

Now three more kitchen customers have backed Mrs Hurst's complaints, triggering the investigation from head office in Bedford.

Terry and Jean Grace of Durham Road, Wilpshire, bought a kitchen from Currys in Blackburn in June -- yet they are still looking at a half-finished product.

The couple claim five doors are missing and various trays are not in the package which cost the couple almost £3,000.

"We have had 18 different phone calls from Currys about this said Terry. A few weeks ago two doors arrived, bringing the total down from seven, but on the other occasions no-one turned up. "I have had to pay the fitter £800 for the work he has done, it is not his fault, he is an independent fitter.

"My wife has been ill because of it and we have had so much upset because of what has happened."

Currys said the remaining components were due to be delivered yesterday.

Jackie Schmitt of Church Street, Great Harwood is seeking compensation from Currys after she cancelled her order for almost £1,500.

"I ordered my kitchen on July 22 and paid for it in full on my credit card. Currys said they will deliver it in four to six weeks time.

"I went on holiday and I expected the kitchen to be put in when I got back. After my holiday I rang Currys to ask why they had not put the kitchen in they gave me a date of November 22 -- four months after I paid for it."

Currys have offered a refund for the price of the kitchen but Jackie says that is not enough.

"I have had to pay interest on my card, surely they should compensate us for that," she said. Eileen Smith of Moorside Avenue, Blackburn has just had her deposit of £183 returned by Currys after she cancelled her order after being told the kitchen she expected last Friday would not arrive until January 11 next year.

A spokesman for Currys said an investigation has been launched and they apologised for the inconvenience caused and blamed difficulties in obtaining certain items of stock for the delays.

Picture: Jean Grace with her unfinished kitchen.