PHONE problems have left a Harden couple with a two month headache after BT Openreach workmen left a two foot high pile of rubble blocking a path to their home.

Retired teachers Don and Kathleen Cockroft were suddenly cut off on January 26 and after they contacted their service provider, Talk Talk, they were delighted when BT engineers arrived the following day.

But after fixing the problem with new technology, they left a fenced-off pile of spoil, which is still there today.

Despite repeated calls and promises of action, Mrs Cockroft, 77, said they were now at their wits' end.

"We are just so sick of the mess being left there - and there's absolutely no reason for it," said the former teacher at Gilstead Middle School.

"The phone went funny on January 26 and we rang Talk Talk and were very pleased when BT Openreach arrived so promptly - we've no complaints about that.

"They dug a big hole and put in some kind of new box and the phone was re-connected and fixed on February 2.

"But then they never came back to collect all the rubble from the hole, which we just couldn't understand."

After two weeks they began calling BT Openreach asking when the mini-mountain would be removed.

"It is just so difficult to get through to speak to anyone.

"We made loads of phone calls and I must say everyone was very pleasant and all said the same thing, that it was a problem that would be sorted out."

Mr Cockroft, 78, a former teacher at Thorpe Middle School, Idle, is a keen gardener, as are their neighbours in the other bungalows of Spring Farm Lane.

"We are all retired people and everyone keeps their gardens looking so nice, so this mess really stands out.

"And like us, everyone is active and has lots of family and friends visiting all the time so people are starting to get a bit annoyed about the mess still being there with a fence and fallen sign."

Two weeks ago the exasperated Cockrofts contacted Harden Parish Council chairman Councillor Pam Laking, who tried to help on their behalf and rang BT Openreach herself.

"I spoke to some very helpful people who told me that they were aware of the problem and that it would be collected and cleared away within 48 hours.

"That was two weeks ago and nothing has happened yet, so I suggested Mr and Mrs Cockroft contact the Telegraph & Argus," Mrs Laking said.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for BT Openreach said: "We’re sorry for the rubble that was left on the pavement outside Mr and Mrs Cockroft’s home and have arranged for it to be removed as quickly as possible."