PENSIONERS are claiming their home has been turned into a "bombsite" after council workers carried out improvement work.

For more than a month, Margaret and Leonard Guy, both 77, of Blackhill, Consett, have had to abandon their comfy sofa for deckchairs and their carpets for makeshift wooden boards since the work was completed.

The problem was caused when Derwentside District Council workmen improving council house heating systems accidentally cut a water pipe.

When the couple returned to their home, in Cragside Court, and turned the tap on to make a cup of tea, their kitchen and living room was covered in sludge from the radiators.

The couple have claimed for a new carpet but have rejected an offer of £145 from the council.

Mrs Guy said: "It's a miserly offer. We are getting on and it's not fair living like this, aside from the fact that £145 is not a fair offer for a 32 sq yard carpet."

Leader of Derwentside District Council Alex Watson said he had personally investigated the incident.

He said: "This was an insurance issue and I checked it out myself. I was convinced that the offer was fair. Obviously accidents like this do happen and we have every sympathy with the Guys in this case."