A 90-year-old woman is out of pocket after a company carried out work in her Dalry garden and failed to finish it.

Nancy Burns paid £300 to D Stewart and Son Garden Care to carry out bordering work and move quartz stones. The work was started three weeks ago, then continued by another workman, whom Nancy said did a poor job, which he left unfinished.

The firm agreed to reimburse Nancy, but the pensioner was shocked to receive just £100 back – a third of what she paid.

Nancy told the Herald: “You read about rogue traders, well this is a rogue gardener.

“I was stupid in giving him the money right away.

“A man and a woman started it. What they did I’m quite happy with and would happily have paid £300. Someone else came to do the garden. This man knew nothing about gardening. He turned up with only a spade and a little hand tool. I’m disgusted at the state it’s been left in.

“The boss phoned Saturday night full of apologies but said because it was a bank holiday he couldn’t refund my money. Then a man came to my door and handed me £100.

“My husband is in South Beach Care Home and he has Alzheimer’s. I’ve enough without this kind of thing happening.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are working really hard to protect our most vulnerable residents and we are really sorry, frustrated and angry to hear that Mrs Burns has been targeted in this way.

“Our Trading Standards team will speak to Mrs Burns to see how best they can help her. If anyone knocks on your door offering to do gardening, mono-blocking/paving or roof/roofline work please contact the team on 01294 310100 and they will investigate to see if the people involved are legitimate.

D Stewart had not responded to calls and messages from the Herald as we went to press.