A ROGUE builder at the centre of a Trading Standards probe allegedly built a fence for a 93-year-old using wood taken from his neighbour's garden.

Fay Clarke was stunned to discover that the builder, who was paid £1,400 for work in her parents' garden, had allegedly finished off the fence with stolen timber.

When the neighbours of her mum and dad, who live in Castle Street, The Haulgh, spotted him taking the wood, he said he would pay them, although the builder is not thought to have returned with the cash.

Mrs Clarke's dad Harry, aged 93, who has dementia, and mum Irene, had been put in touch with the builder by someone they knew.

The trader has left 77-year-old Elsie Derbyshire without a driveway for four weeks, and a police probe found he had taken more than £3,000 from her and other elderly people living in Skipton Street, Tonge Fold.

The builder's girlfriend, a council care worker, has been suspended from her duties in connection with the case.

Mrs Clarke said: "It is unbelievable really. Some of what he did was okay, but we were stunned by the fence.

"It is going to cost too much to take it all down so it is still up.

"But now my mum and dad are in a position where they are potentially handling stolen goods.

"My dad does not understand what has gone on. But it is their cash he has taken."

The builder initially quoted £240 to put up a stone wall and add stones to the top of another wall.

But he repeatedly asked for more money, and did not build everything to the request of Mrs Clarke.

Then he asked for another £400 on top of his spiralling bill to lay stone flags in place of the garden.

Mrs Clarke added: "On the first day, before he had even done any work, he took £200. He was here about two weeks and he said it would take three days.

"He then ordered some flags and asked me for £400 so I told him to get on his way. The job was left unfinished.

"There was just one day in the whole two weeks he was here that he did not ask me for money."

She says she reported the matter to police — but it was not taken further.

A Trading Standards investigation has been launched into the builder, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

A council spokesman said the care worker was suspended as soon as they were made aware of the situation and that the authority will now carry out its own investigation.

Trading Standards said it would not comment on an ongoing investigation.