A COUPLE say they have faced a catalogue of disasters in pursuit of their dream kitchen.

Alan and Sue Leaver paid almost £7,000 for a fitted kitchen from Manchester-company Kitchens Direct, which they say has been a disastrous project.

Mr Leaver, of Whitworth Meadows, Middlestone Moor, Spennymoor, said the couple have been unable to use their kitchen for three weeks.

The retired off-licence owner said: "We should have been warned off from the start. The salesman was in our house from 7pm to 1.10am when drawing up the plans and price. We thought using a well- known firm and paying extra was wise. We were wrong and wish we had stuck with the old kitchen."

The couple's list of complaints include wrong deliveries which entailed nine visits to the house to produce the correct items, delayed fitting and damaged goods.

Mr Leaver said: "So many mistakes have been made, like sending an empty box instead of a sink. Because of the delays we have not had a sink in the kitchen for three weeks. We have had to eat out most nights. It has been really frustrating. We have contacted Trading Standards."

Craig Hudson, of County Durham Trading Standards, said: "The Leavers appear to have had a catalogue of problems, so Trafford Trading Standards, as the closest to the firm, will consult with Kitchens Direct on the customer's behalf.

"For a big company few complaints are made against it and they are usually dealt with to the customer's satisfaction quite quickly."

Paul Baines, customer care director for Kitchens Direct, said he could not comment on the specific case, but said the Leavers would be contacted and, if it was at fault, the company would do its best to rectify the situation.