Horrified

When the couple, both 60, returned home days later, they were horrified to discover it had been trashed.

Mrs Cunningham, of Hardingstone, Northampton, said: “The place was a tip. Two labourers, who we think might have been homeless, were living here.

“They really made themselves at home – they had been sleeping in our bed and used the food out of the fridge and cupboards.They had even watched pay-per-view on our Sky subscription. I couldn’t believe the audacity.”

The couple kicked the building firm out halfway through the job, having already paid out £17,000. But they