A couple who moved into a newly-built Steeton house six months ago still have no landline phone or Internet, despite repeated attempts to get connected.

David and Diane Hall said although they have been in touch with BT on at least 20 occasions, they remain without a service.

Mr Hall, 60, said he knew of other residents on his street who were in the same position, adding he had experienced no such delay with the other utilities for his new home.

“It’s beyond a joke,” he added.

“Promises have been made, but the estimated date for when we’ll be connected has kept being put back. The latest estimate is today (April 3), but we’ve no guarantee the work will be done on that day.

“At first we were told the delay was because a duct under the road had collapsed, then it was because they were waiting for the council to give permission for traffic management.

“We were told on March 19 it was because we were living such a long way from the exchange, though it’s only a 20 minute walk away.”

A BT spokesman said: “We are very sorry for the time taken to provide service to Mr and Mrs Hall.

“Civil engineering work has encountered several major problems, which are now resolved. We will have the service up and running as quickly as possible, and a case handler will ensure the customer is kept informed throughout.”

Mr Hall, a retired gas service emergency response worker, moved into the house in Meadow Grove with his wife on September 27 last year.

The couple bought 12 months worth of BT Openreach landline and broadband Internet provision. But despite paying £140 up front, Mr Hall said they are still waiting.

He added: “When we moved in we were able to have gas, water and electricity utilities put in place.

“But for some reason it’s been beyond BT Openreach. I’ve spoken to call centres in India, who have struggled to deal with the problem, and have ended up transferring me back to the UK.”