A GROUP of residents have been left angry after a mystery builder appears to have disappeared.

A firm called Stanley Surfacing, which gave an address in Wroughton, tarmacked a number of drives in the Cheltenham area.

Now residents are complaining about the standard of work but the company cannot be traced.

At least five Cheltenham homeowners have been affected by what they say is shoddy work carried out by Stanley Surfacing, run by a Frank Webb.

Francis Hebditch contracted the company in February last year to tarmac her drive.

But the job, which cost more than £5,000, was left incomplete, uneven and breaking up.

Ms Hebditch said: "The driveway did not have a frost covering and as a result it was really slippy in the winter.

"I am really angry about this and worried that it could happen to someone else. There are cracks in the surface and it will have to be re-done."

She has written two letters to the company and tried to contact those responsible by phone.

"I just want my money back," Ms Hebditch added.

Her neighbour, 85-year-old Maurice Wilson, paid £430 but now is not happy with the work.

He said: "My driveway needs a top coat as well."

Vernon Haynes is also unhappy. He said: "My drive is just cracking up I'd like my money back or at least some of it. But what can you do if you can't get hold of them?"

The address given on receipts given to the homeowners is a private home address of Mr Frank Webb at 19 Hay Lane in Wroughton, but there is no house there.

The telephone number is ex-directory, but when the number provided on the receipt is rung, there is no answer.

Stanley Surfacing has previously attracted 20 complaints to Swindon Council's trading standards department.

Carla Doughty, trading standards education officer, said: "We have not received any complaints since March, 2001. But he could now be working in other areas, so we will look into it."

Swindon Council received the first complaint about Stanley Surfacing in 1995.

"The complaints were received over a number of years," Miss Doughty said.

"It must be stressed that they were civil, not criminal, complaints so we cannot say whether they were justified."

In light of the recent complaints, Swindon Council will be contacting other trading standards officers in the region to see if the problem applies elsewhere.

Martin Brewton, manager for consumer advice and community development at Gloucestershire Trading Standards, said: "We have had a number of inquiries about Stanley Surfacing, which has been working in the area.

"We understand that the company uses the method of doorstep selling and we urge the public to be cautious."