A family will have to microwave their Christmas dinner this year because Homebase has taken more than two months to fit their kitchen.

Katie Sutton, 28, and fiance Alfie Johnson, 32, spent £6,000 on a new kitchen in September, which was meant to be fitted in October.

But a series of blunders by Homebase means the family is washing up in the bathroom and a freezer full of Christmas food is set to go to waste.

Miss Sutton, of Hazen Road, Kings Hill, said: “I can’t go to my parents because they run a B&B and we can’t go to the in-laws either as they haven’t got the room. It’s really disappointing and frustrating.”

The kitchen was stripped out ahead of a delivery date on October 23 but the courier only turned up with a hob and sink.

The rest was due to arrive on December 4 before being fitted four days later.

When it did turn up the fittings were the wrong size.

The beautician added: “The kitchen was fitted and plans were drawn up so we couldn’t believe it when they said it wouldn’t fit.

“We found out cupboards were much bigger than they were supposed to be and the Homebase worker had not taken into account the size of the pipes.

“We’ve been having takeaway and ready meals every day.

“Homebase said they would pay for that but we don’t have money to pay for them in the first place.”

Mr Johnson’s two sisters, their partners and three children, as well as some family friends, should have been spending Christmas Day with the couple, but have had to find somewhere else to eat.

A Homebase spokeswoman said: "Homebase would like to sincerely apologise to Miss Sutton and Mr Johnson for the issues they have experienced with the delivery of their new kitchen.

"We have spoken to the customer and are working with them and the third party delivery firm to ensure the problem is resolved as soon as possible."