A COMPANY which left a 79-year-old woman’s conservatory unfinished has been taken to court by her.

Plucky Pamela Marshall was livid after Nationwide Windows and Conservatories failed to finish the job at her Oakes home.

She took them to court – and is now anxious to share with Examiner readers what she has discovered.

The Examiner first broke the story about Nationwide Conservatories Kitchens and Windows when other customers complained that it had failed to finish work after taking money upfront. And a kitchen fitter who worked for the company for 18 months is owed around £10,000.

Pamela’s 80th birthday party has also had to be changed because of the dispute.

She paid the company £9,500 last year, but the conservatory lies unfinished in the garden of her Crosland Road home.

Pamela said: “The minute I paid the final instalment the work stopped. There’s no plastering or window sills and the fan and light haven’t been installed. One of the windows is cracked and another is scratched and the trench for the electric cable isn’t deep enough.”

Pamela signed a contract with the company in March, 2005, to build an £8,550 conservatory on the back of her house.

She said: “After the surveyor had been round Nationwide told me it wasn’t possible to put it up because my roof was too low, so I agreed to a free-standing one instead.”

The mother-of-four signed a new deal in May, 2006, for a three-metre square conservatory costing £9,500. She put down a £1,650 deposit and paid the full amount in three instalments.

The work, which began last June, stopped as soon as she made the final payment on October 5. Pamela went to Nationwide to complain the following week. She said: “They were so rude and sarcastic to me. They made me feel like it was my fault.”

She has contacted Trading Standards at least eight times – bringing a limited response from Nationwide.

Pamela said: “After every phone call the workers come round, do about two hours’ work and then leave.”

The unfinished conservatory has forced Pamela to change her plans for her 80th birthday party next month.

She said: “I wanted it finished for my birthday so I could have a buffet meal with all my family, including my great-granddaughter who’s coming from Canada. But that’s not possible so we’re going to Bradford for a curry instead.”

Pamela has tried to sue Nationwide for the unfinished work. She said: “I started proceedings in the Small Claims Court in March and obtained a warrant.”

But a bailiff has advised Pamela not to expect her money back.

She said: “He told me I would be very lucky to get anything because Nationwide don’t own anything. Their phones and computers are hired and their cars are on lease.

“The bailiff is still trying to get the money, but there seems to be no hope. It took me a long time to save up that money.”

Pamela advised Examiner readers to avoid Nationwide.

She said: “Stay miles away from them. Go to a reputable Huddersfield company who have been operating in the town for years.”

Nationwide declined to comment on the case.