A COUPLE who called out plumbers to fix a leaking pipe were horrified to discover they were left with a large hole in their floor and dangerous electrics.

John and Sheila Chapman, from Carrville, near Durham used their insurance policy against leaks and water damage to call out the plumbers about two weeks ago, when a leaking water pipe flooded a downstairs corridor.

After telephoning Home Services, which runs the insurance cover and is promoted by Northumbrian Water, a plumber was sent out.

He dug a hole in their floor, but failed to find a leak, so a second contracted plumber was sent out.

The Chapmans say he fixed the fault, but discovered that an electric cable had been cut through - and that the flooded carpet could have electrocuted anyone at any time.

But the couple got the shock of their lives when they were told by the insurance providers they would have to fill in the hole made by the plumbers, and fix the electrics.

Mr Chapman, 62, said: "The second plumber found the floor was live when he put his chisel down and it went 'bang'.

"It was lucky my wife was wearing her slippers when she had walked over the carpet.

"Had she walked on the carpet with bare feet, it might have been a different story."

Shortly after The Northern Echo contacted the companies involved, an electrician and a carpenter were both sent to the Chapman's home to deal with the problem.

A spokeswoman for Home Services said they would conduct an investigation into the incident.

She said: "Obviously it goes completely without saying that we are enormously sorry for what happened.

"We manage about 2,000 contractors and have 2.4 million members and our complaint level is less then one per cent, so this is not normal.

"We are hugely apologetic and we have sent someone back out to make it safe and fill the hole."