RESIDENTS have told Nicola Sturgeon of their frustrations over botched upgrade works to their homes.

The First Minister heard how residents have had tradesmen fighting in their gardens, kitchen vents mistakenly sealed in and concerns about leaking windows.

Ms Sturgeon was in Toryglen to join residents and representatives from energy firm E-on to walk round the streets where 608 Thistle Housing Association homes are undergoing energy upgrades.

In what has become a long-running saga, work was supposed to last 12 weeks but is still ongoing a year later.

Gerry Clarke, who has a semi-detached house on Ardmory Avenue, met the First Minister yesterday to tell her how he and his wife have so far had 13 completion dates for their home.

He also told her how police and ambulance services had to be called after a fight between tradesmen broke out in a neighbouring garden.

Mr Clarke also explained how he found a new vent cover in his back garden and realised that a vent into his kitchen had been completely sealed off.

He said: "We've agreed with E-on just to leave the vent as I'm worried about getting back into anything with them.

"Our house is more or less completed thanks to a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth - and we don't want to start up again.

"For example, they had to render the front of our house twice and three times at the back because the work was not done properly.

"I think the walk round was eye opening for the First Minister and we certainly feel more confident now we know she is involved."

The Evening Times has told previously of the works in Toryglen, funded by Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council cash.

E-on is the contractor in charge of the works to the Thistle properties with the aim to be making the buildings more environmentally friendly.

Along with delays to the works, residents have experienced countless problems. And some who complained have had lawyers letters from Thistle telling them to stop contacting the association.

A previous meeting with Ms Sturgeon resulted in E-on pledging works would be finished in July.

Kerrycroy Avenue resident David Crockwell said: "When you underestimate people because they live in a housing scheme and you think they are thick, then there will be problems.

"We were expected to accept this work and we have not. We're confident Nicola Sturgeon will help move things along now."

Ms Sturgeon said: “Today was useful and constructive and my constituents have been given assurances regarding the matters which were causing them concern.

"I’m determined to see these problems resolved and will be happy to seek the same kind of assurances for any Toryglen constituents who have raised concerns about the building works if they contact my office.”

A spokesman from E-on said: "Senior managers from E-on’s operations team joined First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to hear comments from residents and to show how far the work has progressed in recent months.

"In line with our agreement with residents and the First Minister we have now completed the vast majority of the work with just the last phase, released to us by Thistle in April 2017, to complete.

"While the work and conditions have been challenging for all, some residents have already reported savings of up to 35 per cent on their energy bills and they tell us their homes are far more comfortable to live in. We remain grateful for the patience of residents during this project which will provide long term benefits for the area including the reduction of fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

"E-on remains totally committed to ensuring all works are completed and we will continue to work with Thistle Housing to this end."

A spokeswoman for Thistle Housing Association said: “We welcome our local MSP Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Toryglen to speak with E-on and a small number of our residents about the works programme.

"We have been in ongoing liaison with Ms Sturgeons’ office to keep her up to date on activity as it progresses.

“Whilst there is still work to be done ahead of project completion, activity is progressing and Thistle continues to work tirelessly to ensure the end product will meet the high standards expected by the housing association, residents and all funding partners.”