A FORMER lung cancer sufferer who went on holiday to escape choking fumes from a renovation of his home said he was horrified to come back and find the place what he described as an "absolute tip".

Michael Jones, 58, was put up in a hotel by construction firm, Thomas Vale Construction, for three nights when he returned from a break in Ireland on May 10 to find the work had not been finished.

The Blakedown resident said his holiday joy turned to fury when he saw his home, as he had gone on the 10-day break to Ireland to allow the modernisation of a bedroom, the kitchen and central heating, to be carried out.

Housing bosses said the problem arose because they did not expect Mr Jones to return to his Sculthorpe Road home so soon.

Mr Jones said: "I was told a few weeks ago they would get the majority of the work done while I was gone. My lung function is down by 50 per cent, I can't tolerate the dust, as I have had part of my lung removed, so I went away and I have come back to an absolute tip.

"I had no kitchen or bathroom, the central heating work had not even been started. I couldn't even get in my living room.

"I had to spend two nights at a friends and three nights in a hotel - it is unbelievable. There was stuff everywhere. I couldn't even use the toilet."

The work was being carried out by Thomas Vale on behalf of social housing firm, Wyre Forest Community Housing.

A statement from the firm said Thomas Vale believed Mr Jones was due to come back on Tuesday, May 11, three days after his actual return.

"Although this is a genuine misunderstanding about return dates, Mr Jones has received an apology from Thomas Vale Construction for the upset he has encountered during the process. He is in regular contact with the foreman who is able to deal with any additional inquiries or assistance Mr Jones may require."