Scaffolding appeared in the time it took the couple to go to the supermarket (Picture: SWNS)

A married couple returned from the supermarket to find their house covered in scaffolding and they have no idea why.

Liz and Ken Thompson let their home on Wirksworth Road in Duffiled, Derbyshire, at 10.45am on May 19 and returned a couple of hours later to see scaffolding surrounding their house.

The pensioners said they had no idea where the work was supposed to take place because no contractor’s name or sign was left at the house.

They said they were left ‘shocked and surprised’ at where it had come from and are waiting for a scaffolding company to arrive to tell them how the framework came to appear on their house.




The couple, who have lived in the house for 30 years, have contacted at least one local firm, who have said that the work hadn’t been done by them.

Liz Thompson said she and her husband are baffled by the sudden appearance (Picture: SWNS)

One bedroom window of the house has been left in darkness as a result of the scaffolding and Liz says she hopes it is resolved soon.

Liz said: ‘We went to the opticians in Belper at around 10.45am and then went to Morrisons on the way home for some lunch.

‘As I pulled up to the drive I saw the scaffolding and I thought “where are we?” because we were at home but the scaffolding hadn’t been there when we left. I was just absolutely surprised and shocked.

‘I asked some neighbours down the road who are having some work done, and she said she saw a vehicle arrive but knew it wasn’t the same scaffolders who had been doing their work.

They wonder if the builders have got the wrong house (Picture: SWNS)

‘Nobody else in the road seems to know anything about it or where it’s come from. Ken used to be a builder so he could tell it was a proper job and not a scam.

‘But I’ve been so worried about it and awake half of the night thinking about where it’s come from.

‘Hopefully somebody is going to come along and say it’s theirs. I presume they intend to start work on Monday.’

There are two other Wirksworth Roads in Derbyshire, one in Ilkeston and another in Whatstandwell, and the Thompsons wonder if that is how the mistake has been made.