A family are appealing for Wharfedale builders to help them finish their Tuscan holiday villas before their first guests arrive.

Richard Turnbull, his wife Sarah Fraser and three-year-old Gregory swapped life in Otley last May for an 18th century Tuscan farmhouse with 15 acres of land, 350 olive trees and their own private waterfall.

But their dream of renting out two holiday villas could be shattered unless they can find builders to complete the renovation work.

The couple already have guests booked into the villas from Easter and need to fit a bathroom in their own home and finish the converted farmhouses.

They are appealing to any Whar-fedale builders who could fly out and help them in exchange for free travel and a holiday when the villas are completed.

Sarah, who is expecting her second child in July, said: "We are having terrible problems with builders over here - they never turn up!

"We are still without a bathroom and need to complete all the renovations in the next two months so we can open the rental accommodations in time for Easter.

"We are putting out an urgent request through Wharfedale Newspapers for reliable Yorkshire tradesmen to come and help us.

"We'd provide travel, board, lodging and a free holiday when the accommodation is ready. We'd be really grateful."

The family moved to Tuscany with £5,000 but the work has exceeded their budget by five times and Richard is having to return to Ilkley part-time to continue his DJ business.

They had hoped to raise their estimated £12,000 yearly living costs by selling olive oil and converting two farmhouses to rent out to holidaymakers.

But after months of being let down by unreliable Italian builders they are worried that the holiday homes will not be finished in time.

They have already made lots of sacrifices from struggling with no hot water to using an organic outside toilet.

But they have no regrets, they have survived their first olive harvest and are growing their own food to make themselves self-sufficient.

The holiday business is already taking off with more than a 1,000 people having visited their website and bookings for the villas are growing daily.

Anyone interested in seeing their Tuscan retreat, which is located between Pisa and Florence, can log on to their website at www.casad-elsole.co.uk.

Any builders who think they can help the family can visit their website or contact (01943) 602828.

The family's exploits recently featured in a Channel Four documentary.