A DOUBLE-glazing salesman told a pensioner with heart problems to "go and die in the vegetable patch" after he cancelled a window order.

The salesman, from New Look windows in Stockton, also hurled abuse at 68-year-old Christopher Sturgeon, calling him a " decrepit yellow-toothed, stringy-haired old git".

Mr Sturgeon, who has been through a triple heart bypass, had asked the salesman to give him an estimate to double-glaze the windows at his Darlington home.

The pensioner and his wife Rachel, 64, initially agreed to having the windows installed but changed their mind after finding a cheaper quote.

The Sturgeons, of Kielder Drive, Haughton wrote to New Look windows, of Portrack Lane, Stockton, and cancelled the order.

Mrs Sturgeon said: "We sent the letter by recorded delivery and we rang up to say we were cancelling the order in writing.

"We spoke to the manager, who sounded a bit disappointed, but he was all right with it."

Mr Sturgeon, who on top of his heart trouble is a diabetic, said: "The salesman, who was about 22 or 23, rang back in the afternoon and said to me that I was an old, decrepit, yellow-toothed, stringy-haired git.

"He then said to me 'why don't you go out into the vegetable patch and die'."

Mrs Sturgeon added: "We have never been abused like that before. We couldn't believe it.

"We would like a written apology from the salesman, but I don't think we are going to get it.

"He was probably upset because he had lost a £500 commission, but that was no reason to speak to my husband the way he did."

David Kitching, trading standards manager in Stockton, appealed to the public to get in touch if there were any further problems with New Look windows.

While the company had not broken any laws, he said: "We deplore such activities and we hope the public will keep us informed of any other problems they have with the company."

New Look windows is not a member of the Glass and Glazing Federation, which regulates double glazing companies.

New Look Windows refused to comment last night.

Trading standards can be contacted at the Central Library, Church Road, Stockton, or phone (01642) 391180.