Health and Safety officers have promised to launch an investigation after a Paget guest house owner complained that a building contractor had left a huge, uncovered hole in front of her property.

The hole appeared at Dawkins Manor on Tuesday and grew bigger the day after, but owner Celia Dawkins said contractor David Dunkley told her he will not be able to tackle the problem until next Monday.

Work started on extending a bedroom at the St. Michael's Road site in August but Ms Dawkins said that when machinery was used on Tuesday to dig a hole for the footings the large hole - about ten feet wide and ten feet deep - appeared in her driveway close to where guests walk.

"Guests come out of the porch and you are right on it."

She has warned her guests, but fears if one comes back drunk and disorientated they could lose their bearings.

"They should have put some board over it and have barricaded the place around."

Instead a couple of blocks had been placed in the way.

"They won't stop anyone falling in. I would be sued."

She said parts of the cesspit were exposed because the hole had increased in size.

"I would not be surprised if the cesspit itself was damaged."

Health and Safety Inspector Harry Powell promised a visit today after saying Ms Dawkins was right to be concerned.

He said unsafe building practices were rampant.

"I have seen far too much of this in the last four years. It's like they have no respect for authority."

Holes must be covered or completely screened off said Mr. Powell who said new laws, which have yet to be fully enacted, promised tough new fines for those who broke the rules.

"The hazard must go away."

Ms Dawkins said she had wanted the work started this month when her guests had left but Mr. Dunkley had started last month because he had another job on. She said he had also broken a promise to keep building materials covered up.

Mr. Dunkley could not be reached for comment yesterday.