A FAMILY of seven had to spend £100 on take-aways after workmen left them without gas for a week.

Isabella Nicholson, of Olive Lane, Darwen, said she was 'at the end of her tether' after landlords Twin Valley Housing Association left her with the "kitchen from hell."

Isabella, 31, and her husband Graeme, 26, received an apology from Twin Valley boss Phil Richards, who said: "They are quite right to be upset."

The problems started last August when the dishwasher and washing machine at their former council home fell through the floorboards.

Isabella said: "We noticed a leak under the sink and we contacted Twin Valley. They sent someone to fix it. Days later we had things falling through the floorboards. We just couldn't believe it.

"Graeme, ended up fixing the floorboards himself because he can turn his hand to anything."

Six months ago, a kitchen unit fell off the wall, almost hitting four-year-old daughter, Margaret. Isabella, whose other children are Isabella, nine, Zoe, eight, Jennifer, seven, and Jo-James, 12 weeks, said: "At that point we wanted an inspector to come and see the state of the kitchen. He decided to give us a big, dream kitchen. We were happy because we thought the nightmare would end there, but it didn't."

Work on the kitchen has lasted almost a month, even though it was supposed to last little under two days and be completed by May 28. Isabella said: "They were working one day and they took the water and the gas off.

"I was left without water for a day and gas for a week because it's taken so long.

"We've have to live off cereals and take-aways because we haven't been able to use the cooker. We've been using our shopping money on take-aways. We're both on benefits and it's been a real struggle.

"We ate sandwiches and salads for a while but the kids just got sick of them and after a few days they didn't want to eat them anymore."

The brand new £210 family carpet was also destroyed by workmen who failed to use a dustsheet while working. Isabella said: "The kitchen's supposed to be finished by Monday but we're not convinced. I'm at the end of my tether with all the problems we've had."

Coun Paul Browne of Sudell Ward, visited the house in May. He said: " It's absolutely scandalous that the family were left with no gas and water

"It's appalling and I think they should be trying to get compensation for having to eat take-aways for an entire week."

Phil Richards, chief executive of Twin Valley Homes, said: "Mrs Nicholson is quite right to be upset. On this occasion the ordering and installation of her kitchen has fallen short of the high standards we expect at Twin Valley Homes.

"We are working on completing her kitchen right now and we can only apologise and endeavour to complete it as quickly as possible."