ANGRY householders claim they are gripped by a winter of worry after a home improvement scheme went wrong.

Residents in Burns Street, Burnley, say their dream home hopes have turned into a nightmare after a contractor went bust.

They say they have been left for months with leaking roofs, badly fitting doors, rubbish-filled back yards and wind howling through ill-fitting windows, because no-one has appeared to complete the council contract.

The council today said that the contractor had gone into liquidation four months ago, but invitations for firms to complete the work would not go out until the end of this month at the earliest.

Now, local councillor Mozaquir Ali is calling for urgent action to protect the health and quality of life of residents in the block improvement scheme, part of a multi-million pounds housing renewal project in Daneshouse.

Said Coun Ali: "I asked at Burnley town council months ago when the contractor went into liquidation, what was being done and received a firm assurance from the chairman of housing that someone would be brought in soon.

"That just hasn't happened and the residents have been left to suffer the winter in misery and are suffering badly."

He added: "There are many young children and old dependent people, often in poor health, in many of these houses and to leave homes in this state is disgusting. "

Resident Mujibar Rahman said he suffered a rubble-strewn back yard, hot water cuts and blocked drains, sending rising water into his kitchen. He says the family was forced to sleep downstairs because removed slates were not replaced and rain poured into bedrooms, causing dampness.

Restaurant worker Mr Rahman, said wide gaps in new window frames brought constant draughts, forcing him to turn heating to maximum for months.

"All we have had is disappointment and frustration and no answers from the council - we feel we could have done a better job ourselves," he added.

Graduate Joynal Abdin, says he too has drawn up a list of complaints.

And fellow householder Jamial Miah said improvements have left gaps in his doors and double glazing and pools of water form in his yard because of uneven flag-laying.

"Conditions in the block are terrible," he added.

But a council spokesman said today he knew of no delay as such, but that proper procedures had to be carried out before a new contractor could be brought on site.

Mr Neil Graham said the contractor carrying out work on 87-131 Burns Street went into liquidation and the council was notified on September 23. He said the council then had to make contact with the receivers and had then to make an accurate and detailed assessment of the work carried out, the payments to be made and the work still to be done, which needed to be re-tendered.

Getting access to properties to make the assessments was also time-consuming and the Christmas holiday period had also extended the period, he added.

Mr Graham said it was hoped to invite new tenders by the end of January and, hopefully, start work soon afterwards.

But Coun Ali said: "It has been delay after delay and it is not good enough. I will also be calling for an investigation into the council's vetting procedures when a firm can go bust within months of winning a major contract."

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