ONE of Britain’s most famous builders was in Tilbury to help launch a new initiative for the construction industry aimed at banishing cowboy builders.

Tommy Walsh, who used to feature on hit BBC show Changing Rooms, was at the Riverside Business Park putting his name behind Home Improvements Guarantee, a scheme run in Tilbury which will ensure home owners and builders are protected for the cost of work done to properties.

Under the scheme, people who want to improve their homes won’t have to pay the builder until they are satisfied with the building work.

For builders signed up to the scheme, it means high recommendations and an acknowledgement of high standards of work.

Tommy, 57, said: “It’s always been a passion of mine to get rid of the cowboys who give the building trade a bad name. Every day you hear terrible stories of people having paid thousands for a conservatory that leaks or other kinds of shoddy building work for which they have no way of getting either their money back or solving the problem without spending a lot more money.”

Harvey Ellingham, who has worked in the building industry for more than 20 years, created the concept. He said: “Having seen my own parents being ripped off by cowboy builders years ago it made me determined to ensure that other people didn’t suffer from the same devastating consequences.

“The builders who are part of Home Improvements Guarantee are amongst the best in the country.”