A PRESTON pensioner is facing a frosty Christmas after a builder left her home in ruins.

Catherine Moorby, 63, paid £4,000 for several jobs to be carried out. But when she saw the mess the builder from St Annes-based Damp Tech was making, she was advised to ask him to leave.

But the pensioner alleges that in a telephone conversation, builder told her he would rip the windows back out of her Blackpool Road home.

She said: "He was supposed to install a damp course, fit new cavity wall ties, check the roof for damaged tiles, renew some rendering and fit a window.

"But it's a terrible mess.

"I've had to stuff old shirts and jumpers above the window because he's left a gap of about four inches.

"I know a surveyor and asked him to come and see the work because people were walking past the house, looking at it and shaking their heads. "When he saw the work, he asked me what I'd paid. He told me not to hand over another penny and to tell the builder to leave.

"He said he'd never seen work like it in all his time as a surveyor."

Estate agent Paul Towers from Watt & Co, who recommended Damp Tech, said that he provides the names of around ten builders and he has never received a complaint about Damp Tech before.

He added: "We don't use builders that much. But Damp Tech is covered by Kingfisher so his damp course is guaranteed. A surveyor from there has said that Damp Tech's work is fine.

"It's really nothing to do with me. Builders are builders."

A spokesman for Kingfisher said: "If this firm is registered with us, it is only covered for damp proofing. We are manufacturers of building materials and chemicals. We would have nothing to do with building work such as the installation of windows. But we certainly do not wish to to be associated with with anyone carrying out any bad practises of any form, if this is the case."

No one from Damp Tech was unavailable for comment.

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