HELENA Housing have denied a woman's claims that workmen left her elderly father's house in a 'devastated' condition.

Linda Hunter told the Star that she broke down in tears when she saw the mess allegedly left by workmen who had carried out repairs to her dad's home.

The 50-year-old former care worker has recently given up her job to care for her father Gordon Sykes, 71.

She alleges that a company, contracted to Helena Housing left his bungalow on Birch Grove in Ashton, with exposed fibreglass, building rubble and sodden carpets after the fridge freezer had been left to defrost.

She explained: "They had gone into my dad's home to do the central heating and do some rewiring. When I took him home after he spent some time in respite care, we were met with a flood, a gas leak and no fire. It looked horrendous. If he had been on his own, he wouldn't have coped with the mess.

"I went to my dad's house expecting to do a bit of cleaning, not to throw out fridges and carpets."

A Helena Housing spokesman said: "The work on Birch Grove was brought forward in the planned scheme of works because of the health condition of the tenant. In addition, most of the improvement works were carried out in a week, which is an exceptional case.

"This demonstrates Helena's flexibility and willingness to respond to special circumstances and needs of tenants.

Satisfied

"In one week the house was completely rewired, a new central heating system installed, new hall flooring fitted and an inner porch screen removed.

"Normally these works would not be done on continuous days. Since then UPVC windows and a new electric fire and surround have been fitted.

"All work, including the working order of appliances is checked before the contractors leave the property. A Helena Housing neighbourhood officer and the site manager for our partner contractor on the estate, visited the property on and were satisfied with its condition and the work that has been carried out to date."