A WASHED-UP washing machine has left a disabled Great Lever householder livid. She says the man who sold it to her has failed to answer more than 200 calls of complaint. Mrs Patricia Taylor says she has been suffering from "washday blues" since she bought the re-conditioned washer from Williams Appliances, based in Manchester, earlier this month.

A furious Mrs Taylor, 52, of Holmeswood Road, complains that the washing machine, which cost her £75, broke down the first time she used it. "Since the washer broke down, I've been calling the salesman dozens of times a day, leaving messages on his answer machine. I've just got my telephone bill and it shows that since all this started I've called him 213 times. It's all so frustrating." Mrs Taylor, who suffers from arthritis, says that although she has a 12 month guarantee, the salesman has failed to visit her to repair the washing machine. "I paid him £50 in cash for the washer and £20 by cheque, but I got that stopped when it broke down. He says he won't come out until I've paid up, but I just want him to take the machine away and give me my £50 back."

Mrs Taylor, who has contacted Bolton's Trading Standards about the faulty machine, said: "I spent equivalent to one week's disability allowance on that machine and I've had to go into debt to get a replacement washer on hire." A spokesman for Bolton Trading Standards said they were "aware" of the firm, but could not take action because it was from outside the area.

Despite repeated calls, no one from Williams Appliances was available for comment.

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