Builder's reply to couple's complaint worded 'Dear Mr Gays'

Two men who complained about the slow progress on a loft conversion have accused their builders of adding insult to injury.

Nick Heyes and David Williams emailed Luxus Lofts to reveal their dissatisfaction at the way the £33,000 project was going.

They say they were astonished to receive a late-night reply which began: Dear Mr Gays'.

It referred to them as benders', suggested they try to put the company on TV's House of Horrors show and concluded: I hope you are unhappy – I can't stand you.'

Police are investigating possible homophobia offences after the couple forwarded the message to officers.

Mr Williams, 38, an IT systems developer and Mr Heyes, 41, an electronic engineer, live in Didsbury, South Manchester.

In June they employed Luxus Lofts to convert their attic into two bedrooms and a bathroom. The pair say the company told them that it would take nine weeks to do the work, but it is still incomplete.

The response to their email of complaint was sent on Monday at 11.53pm.

It said: Dear Mr Gays, I hope you are very unhappy with your loft as I cannot stand Living in a bomb site': Mr Williams, left, and Mr Heyes benders and neither can anyone who works for us.' In a reference to the House of Horrors show, it added: Please get us on TV ASAP.'

The message was sent from the email address which staff at the Manchesterbased company had used to communicate with the couple over a number of weeks. Mr Williams said: Something like this is completely unacceptable in today's society.

It's bigotry and it's just not right. Whoever wrote this email should not be allowed to get away with it. The company should hold an investigation to see who is responsible.'

Mr Heyes said: It's been like living in a bomb site with all the mess everywhere. The work was botched.'

The couple have paid £31,000 of the bill but are witholding the remainder until the problems have been ironed out.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were investigating. Under the Public Order Act it is illegal to make homophobic remarks. The offence is termed a hate' crime and carries a maximum penalty of a £1,000 fine.

No one was available at Luxus Lofts to comment, though a receptionist said many workers had access to the computer and could have sent the email.