A RETIRED Ilkley couple is demanding action to tackle an alleged catalogue of building problems in their luxury new £400,000 showhome.

Les and Marina Nicholl moved into the 'Bolton' design Miller Homes house on Ivy Court, Wells Road, in June, and say they discovered more than 30 defects, ranging from a collapsing breakfast bar to water seeping into the main fuse box.

The house, which is among the new townhouses built in the grounds of Wells House, came furnished and decorated by an interior designer.

Mr Nicholl, 75, has now drawn up a 'snag list' of the problems he has encountered in his new home since they moved in.

He claims problems include missing shelves and handles, a lack of the promised telephone of television points in the kitchen, water getting into the house under the garage door, and fire alarms left with covers which prevent them working.

The Nicholls, who moved to Ilkley as their daughter and grandchildren live in the town, have also counted many minor problems including incorrect fittings, problems with internal door locks, and problems with the doors.

Mr Nicholl said he would not expect any new home to be flawless - but is disappointed that the developer has not yet acted on all his concerns.

He said: "I'd love this house, if I can just get it sorted out.

"I would always expect a few snags in a new home, but some of these are quite serious."

Mr and Mrs Nicholl said they fear their young grandchildren, who often visit the house, could have been injured by a kitchen breakfast bar which was not secure, and fell, hitting Mr Nicholl.

"The fitting of the breakfast bar was disgraceful.

"It collapsed when I leant on it and I was slightly hurt when the bar hit my spine," he said.

They have contacted the developer, Miller Homes, and although they did have a meeting with a representative of the company, they say nothing has yet been done to correct any of the problems at the house.

Although he says he could deal with many of the smaller problems himself, Mr Nicholl wants to see Miller put them right.

Production manager of Miller Homes Yorkshire, Patrick Bran-again, said the firm plans to rectify problems at the house in the coming weeks.

He told the Ilkley Gazette: "Mr Nicholl was visited at his home on Thursday August 15, by myself and another senior representative from Miller Homes.

"The issues raised by Mr Nichols were examined in detail and he was informed that we would be writing to him as soon as all the matters had been carefully considered and all the necessary information collated."

Mr Branagan said a letter outlining the decisions made by the firm in response to the issues raised has been drafted, and was expected to be sent to Mr Nicholl last week.