Fiona Thomas has been forced to use her mother-in-law's lavatory for six months because water bosses failed to connect her home to the sewerage system, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Mum-of-three Fiona, 41, bought The Old Barn in Foxdown Close, Kidlington, in August 1999, when she and her husband split up.

After paying 60,000 for the building's shell, she knew she would have to spend some time converting the interior, but hoped to be in by Christmas. But one year on, she is still no nearer living comfortably in her dream home because of serious trouble with the waterworks.

When Thames Water connected her up to the water mains, they failed to connect her sewage pipes as well because, they said, she didn't ask them to. The result was a year-long battle to get water flowing to her bath and lavatory. In May, Fiona was forced to move in with her eight-year-old son and they have spent the last six months crossing their legs and then nipping down the road to the home of Fiona's mother-in-law to answer the call of nature.

She said: "The whole thing has been a complete nightmare. I've heard of water torture but not being able to use your own toilet is ridiculous.

"At first my son Joshua, who is eight, thought the whole thing was an adventure but now he realises it's no fun."

For a number of years, publisher Fiona has suffered from a kidney complaint, which makes it even more important that she has access to proper lavatory facilities. She added: "When I pointed out to Thames Water that my toilet was not connected up, they told me the work could cost 5,000 and then referred me to a firm of contractors.

"The last straw came when the contractors tried to make the connection but couldn't find the pipes because Thames Water's maps were wrong. This is the worst kind of customer service I have ever come across."

She is hoping that trips to her mother-in-law, Joyce Thomas, in Lyne Road, Kidlington, will soon be a thing of the past.

She said: "My mother-in-law has been so kind and has looked after my other son Sam, who is 14. But she is in her 80s, and this hasn't been easy for her either." Fiona, also has a daughter Kate, who is 18 and at university. She has invited her parents down from Scotland, for a family Christmas.

"I really don't want to spend another Christmas on my own in the barn, but if the toilet isn't working then my parents won't be coming," she said.

She has now referred the matter to the water industry watchdog Ofwat.

Thames Water spokesman Andrew Boyd said: "We are sorry that a misunderstanding arose in the first place. What has happened to Ms Thomas is obviously quite unpleasant.

"We will now work closely with contractors to make sure that we find the right pipes to connect up the home to the sewage system."

He added that Thames Water would wait for Ofwat's report on the case before making any decision about a change in procedure.