ANGRY residents have hit out at contractors who they say have left them living in a building site while their homes are refurbished.

Tenants on the Lakes Estate, in Redcar, many of them pensioners, were delighted to hear their old kitchens were to be replaced.

But their enthusiasm has turned sour after being left without a kitchen for three weeks and living in dust-filled homes, with only £25 compensation for the inconvenience.

John Gaal, 46, who lives in Greenhow Walk, where contractors are carrying out work, said about 29 households were affected.

"There is dust and dirt everywhere - in my food, my clothing, on my furniture," he said.

"No effort has been made to clear it up.

"The contractors came in dressed in white suits with masks and pulled up my kitchen floor, which contained asbestos, but I wasn't provided with any protection.

"My kitchen ceiling fell in and I'm having to sleep on a camp bed.

"I can't cook and I have nowhere else to go while the work is carried out. And yet we are still being charged rent."

Newcomen Councillor Glynis Abbot said: "These people are having to live on a building site.

"It is totally unnecessary. The work should be much better co-ordinated. Lots of people have complained to me.

"It is very difficult and totally unacceptable that elderly people should have to put up with this. It is a big disruption."

A spokesperson from Coast and Country Housing, which manages the properties for the local council, said: "We are looking at providing professional cleaning for when each kitchen is fully fitted and we have asked the contractors to make sure that properties are left as clean as they can be at night.

"We have had assurances from the contractors, who are specialists in asbestos removal, that the asbestos flooring was removed in accordance with the agreed risk assessment and method statement. They wouldn't allow residents to be in the kitchen at the time.

"Mr Gaal has had a pantry wall removed, so the dust caused is only normal."