HOMEowner Martin Corby claims a council rnovation project has left his house worse than before they started.

Mr Corby was delighted when his privately owned Bronte Street home was included in the Lawkhome Lane redevelopment scheme. But now he claims the work is sub-standard.

"It's pathetic. The windows are so cheap, I have better ones lying in my back yard."

Mr Corby, a parcel courier, has lived in the house for ten years. When he heard about the council's plans to spend thousadns of pounds on the area he was delighted.

"I had had a few problems with my roof in the past and this was wonderful news," he says.

Renovations started on his house last February and Mr Corby says he has been trying to get the work rectified ever since.

"They have taken out better windows than the windows they put in. The work's appalling. There's water and wind getting in everywhere."

He adds: "My house has never been so cold as it is now."

Mr Corby has so far had no success in getting the work put right and is concerned about the forthcoming SRB work scheduled for private homes in the Highfield area of Keighley.

"I just wonder if the people of Highfield know what they're letting themselves in for.

Mr Corby says he has contacted both the council and the contractors on numerous occasions but has got no response so far. He says: "You just can't get through to them. They say they will come out and do it but never do."

He adds: "It's like banging your head against a brick wall."

Mr Corby says it is possible to carry on a conversation through his double glazing.

He adds: "It's that rubbish."

A council environmental health spokesman says he is aware of the problem with the windows and endeavours are being made to rectify it through the manufacturers and the contractors.

The spokesman says the problem has been identified and further repair work is being arranged.

He adds: "We will be checking whether or not the works that have been done have resolved the problems. If not the contractors will be required to carry out further work."

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